Everton in discussions to prevent £10m blow as ban looms – Keith Wyness
Everton may have no way out of terminating their deal with sleeve sponsors Stake as the UK government line up another crackdown on gambling sponsors.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that there is a “significant issue” surrounding the fact that Stake are unlicensed.
The UK government are currently in an ongoing consultation which could see companies without a Gambling Commission licence banned from advertising themselves through sponsorship.
Wyness is clear that Everton have “no excuse” for their failings if they are forced to rip up their new agreement, as they have known that Stake are unlicensed for a prolonged period.
The Merseysiders recently agreed a multi-year deal to move the company’s sponsorship onto the sleeve of their shirts, to get around the new ban on gambling companies as front-of-shirt sponsors.
Wyness has revealed that the club stand to lose at least £10million if the deal is terminated, but is concerned that they may not have many other ways out of the situation.
Keith Wyness hopeful of Everton discussions with Stake
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that his former club will currently be locked in discussions with Stake over how to resolve the situation.
The Scottish businessman suggested that the company may be waiting on paperwork to gain their licence, which could potentially let them and the club out of a tricky situation.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he outlined that it would be a “big mistake” on the club’s part if it cannot be resolved.
“Just the other week we were saying what a great job they were doing in getting some of the sponsorship revenues up and here we are. There is generally a significant issue around stake,” Wyness said.
“They do appear to be unlicensed. I don't know how Everton are going to argue against that, but it's also something that was very clear that should have been checked into. I even remember this being discussed last year about them being unlicensed. So there's no excuse.
“You'd hope that there's been discussions with the company that there may be some form of application or something that has not yet come through that the club are aware of that would allow them to be mitigating the fact they're unlicensed at the moment.
“I don't want to prejudge, but really, if they haven't got it right, there's no excuse, and it would be a big mistake. But I'm hoping to give the club the benefit of the doubt that they've actually done some research on this; it's something that they were aware of for quite some time.
“If they stay unlicensed, they couldn't be on the shirt, and that would be a £10m hole. We'll just have to wait and see, but I'm hoping they know what they're doing.”
Everton face fresh interest in James Garner
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday that Aston Villa are weighing up a fresh attempt to sign midfielder James Garner this summer.
Unai Emery’s side are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, and were heavily linked with a move for him before he extended his contract with the Toffees back in January.
Garner was an ever-present for David Moyes’ men in the Premier League last term, and is seen as a crucial part of the long-term project at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Villa’s admiration of the England international is clear, but it remains to be seen whether they will firm up their interest with an offer.