Everton to agree stadium naming rights deal imminently – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted he expects a naming rights deal for the club’s new stadium to be in place for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed a partner will get “bang for their buck” with concerts and test events set to be held after the stadium’s completion at the end of 2024.
Football Insider revealed last week (20 June) that Dan Friedkin will make a £20million-plus naming rights deal a top priority if his Everton takeover deal is completed.
The American billionaire struck an exclusivity agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake in the Merseyside club last Friday (21 June).
Everton’s 52,888-seater stadium is due to open for competitive games at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, at which point the Toffees will leave Goodison Park.
Everton could strike big-money stadium deal before 2024-25 season kicks off, says Wyness
Wyness claimed a top agency has been appointed by Everton to find a suitable sponsor.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I’ve been involved in several naming rights deals over the years in different facilities.
“Normally the year before opening is very valuable because the facility gets a lot more press and publicity as it gets closer to opening.
“Already we’re seeing the stadium almost finished, with just the fit-out left to go.
“I would expect to see a naming rights partner come in sooner rather than later.
“One of the top agencies has been appointed to make that happen, and I expect to see something put in place over the summer – perhaps even at the start of the season.
“It will give that sponsor the chance to leverage the excitement of the stadium being completed, which is due to happen around Christmas.
“It won’t open until the start of the 2025-26 season, but there will be many concerts and test events – this sponsor will get bang for their buck.”
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