‘Last resort’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips reacts to reported £250m Amazon deal talks
Kevin Phillips insisted Sunderland should only ever consider selling the naming rights to the Stadium of Light as a last resort.
The former Red and White, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested fans on Wearside would meet the proposition of stadium sponsorship similar to that of their bitter rivals Newcastle United.
When Mike Ashley renamed St. James’ Park the Sports Direct Arena it was met with great opposition by Magpies.
The decision was overturned after supporters protested and even tabled an early day motion in parliament against the selling of the clubs naming rights.
According to the Daily Mail, Amazon are in talks with Tottenham over purchasing the naming rights to their state of the art £1billion stadium in a £250million deal.
When asked by Football Insider if such a deal should ever be considered by the League One club, Phillips said: “We saw what Ashley did with the naming rights at St. James Park, there was uproar. It is a tough one.
“From an emotional point of view, changing the name from the Stadium of Light, there would be a lot of disappointed fans.
“But if it brought in the revenue to help the club get out of League One and the Championship and then take it back to the Stadium of Light.
“It is a double-edged sword. It can help you get finances and build the squad.
“It will always be remembered as the Stadium of Light but they might have to move with the times.
“I would not like to see it but if it helps the finances and helps build the squad it might be an option. But it should be the last resort.”
The Stadium of Light was opened in July 1997 and has a total capacity of 49,000 after it was expanded in the Millenium.
Spurs join the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in selling the naming rights to their stadium.
In other Sunderland news, Kevin Phillips has told Football Insider the future of the club would have looked quite different if Josh Maja had remained.