Keith Wyness reacts after ‘Red Bull Rangers’ latest from Ibrox
Rangers are inching closer to a minority takeover from US investors 49ers Enterprises – raising questions over their links with Red Bull.
According to the Scottish Daily Express (27 April), Red Bull are expected to become the new shirt sponsors at Ibrox in the future as the takeover draws close.
The energy drink giant have a minority stake and are front-of-shirt sponsors at Leeds United – who are owned by the 49ers.
Rangers have already leaned into the Red Bull link – appointing Kevin Thelwell, formerly of the New York Red Bulls, as their new sporting director.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed how much a show-stopping Red Bull deal could be worth.
Red Bull shirt deal could be worth ‘£5m’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Rangers will unfortunately not attract “big numbers” – and could bank only “£4-5million”.
The club’s current deal with Kindred, owner of the 32Red and Unibet brands, is worth around £2.7million before bonuses.
Wyness claimed Rangers will only be able to attract a £10million deal if the league “sorts their act out” and boosts marketability for the Scottish Premiership.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “When we’re talking about the records in Scotland for commercial deals, we’re unfortunately not talking about big numbers.
“It could be potentially £4-5million.
“We’re not talking about big numbers because globally, the viewership is not big.
“If Red Bull get in, it could actually be a good deal. There’s a lot of room to grow the Scottish game, especially overseas.
“When the league get their act together, then we’ll see the Old Firm clubs getting into the £10million, double-figure mark. They are nowhere near that yet.
“Every penny is helpful for Rangers.
“Certainly, the 49ers – and Red Bull if they come aboard – will want to get money into the club for the academy, for recruitment, for the restructure.”
Thelwell wants Dyche as next Rangers manager
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (30 April) that Thelwell has told Rangers chiefs that Sean Dyche would be a “brilliant” next manager of the club.
The Everton recruitment chief is believed to be a big admirer of Dyche and believes he has the personality to cope with the Ibrox spotlight.
Rangers are exploring new manager options with interim Barry Ferguson not expected to land the job permanently.
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