Wayne Veysey

Sun 28 April 2024 11:00, UK

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Newcastle United would struggle to attract the NFL to host games at St James’ Park.

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 – claimed the Magpies could create a “leading concert venue” if they revamp their home.

Newcastle’s Saudi owners have aimed to expand St James’ Park since their arrival, and have conducted a feasibility study in a bid to get a rebuild of the famous ground underway.

The stadium currently holds 52,404 and is the 12th-largest ground in the United Kingdom – but has only seen use for football, rugby and concerts in its history.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have supercharged their revenues by hosting NFL, boxing, go-karting, rugby and concerts at their new home – which opened in 2019.

Newcastle can’t match Tottenham’s NFL success, says Wyness

Wyness suggested Newcastle would struggle to attract American football to the north-east.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I don’t think the NFL would go that far north. I think they’ll restrict themselves to pretty big centres of population.

“The Spurs contract with the NFL runs out soon, but the facilities required for those games are so different to football.

“There would be a lot of issues with St James’ Park hosting American football, I think.

“A lot of boxes have to be ticked, and the club will have to work out whether the revenue is worth it.

“Things can be done, but there’s a cost implication to make the stadium multi-use.

“Newcastle will be looking at all avenues to create revenue, and I certainly think it would be a leading concert venue if redeveloped.”

In other news, Newcastle trigger midfielder clause but payment delayed.

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