Newcastle owners to scrap mega-money deal – Wyness: ‘I know a lot about this’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed he would be “surprised” to see Newcastle owners PIF (Saudi Public Investment Fund) invest in a cricket franchise in Durham.
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 – suggested the Saudis want to “formalise a much bigger cricket strategy” instead of making “one-off investments”.
The Times reported on Saturday (27 July) that PIF are considering making a first major investment in cricket by taking a stake in a new Hundred team based in Durham.
Durham who are in line to be the next franchise added to the eight-team tournament, with the ECB set to make 49% stakes in teams available in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has launched strategies to enter the market in several sports in recent years, including golf, boxing and Formula 1.
Newcastle owners PIF investing in Durham cricket would be a ‘surprise’, says Wyness
Wyness warned Newcastle fans and residents in the north east not to get “too excited just yet”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s not confirmed just yet.
“Potentially the PiF are coming in and investing in a Hundred team in Durham.
“I know a lot about the cricket situation in Saudi Arabia and I was quite surprised to see that.
“There was a lot of talk about PiF coming into Yorkshire a few months ago, and that never materialised.
“I think they want to formalise a much bigger cricket strategy rather than just making one-off investments.
“I would be surprised if they followed through with this.
“I think this is just a story floated around the Durham situation to raise interest in the franchise.
“Newcastle and the whole region are hoping for this investment, but I wouldn’t get too excited just yet.”
In other news, Newcastle make Garang Kuol transfer decision.
For more Newcastle United and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.