Kieran Maguire is seriously unimpressed with £550m deal and what it means for Newcastle United – ‘disappointing for everyone’
The Premier League’s decision to extend their deal with BeIN Sports is ‘disappointing for everyone’ but especially for the Newcastle United owners.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively about Newcastle’s frustrations regarding Saudi Arabian broadcasting of the Premier League.
As reported by the Daily Mail last Tuesday (4 April), the Premier League have agreed to extend their overseas broadcasting deal with BeIN Sports for coverage across the Middle East and Africa.
The report adds that it is a ‘major blow’ to the Newcastle ownership, as the Saudi Arabian government have been blocking BeIN’s TV coverage in their country since December.
The deal is reportedly worth £550million across three years and BeIN are refusing to negotiate with PIF about a possible solution.
Maguire labelled the deal ‘depressing’ and suggested it is ‘disappointing for everyone with a social, moral and ethical compass’.
“Anything which increases Richard Keys’ face appearing on television is a depressing deal,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“The Premier League extending the MENA TV deal with BeIN Sports is disappointing for everyone with a social, moral and ethical compass.
“It’s also a disappointment for the Saudi Arabian broadcasters who, on the back of Newcastle’s increased popularity, would have considered providing an alternative product.
“So it will be frustrating for the Newcastle owners, but the most important thing for them is the level of interest in the club as that will fuel commercial deals.“
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