Newcastle United could strike controversial commercial deal after transfer confession – pundit
Alex McLeish has suggested Newcastle United could agree a naming rights deal for St James’ Park to boost the club’s transfer funds this summer.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Magpies need to find ways “around” financial fair play limitations.
Speaking at his press conference earlier this month (12 May), Eddie Howe confessed “FFP does impact what we can do in the summer” in terms of recruitment.
The Athletic’s George Caulkin (16 May) claims the Magpies’ initial transfer budget could be as high as £80million.
McLeish suggested the Newcastle board could explore the controversial option of striking a deal to rename St James’ Park.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “If they’re gonna contend for the top six or the top eight, they need to spend.
“They need to get the best, world-renowned players because that’s the level and they’ve got the money to do that. However, as Eddie rightly says, there are financial fair play rules on the go.
“It will depend on how they produce that money. Man City were pretty clever a few years ago when they called the stadium the Etihad. I think the revenue for advertising was different to the money that you you would spend on players for the fair play situation.
“There are ways to get around it and I’m sure Newcastle’s owners will be thinking about that as well. That could be the new naming of the stadium.”
Former owner Mike Ashley received major backlash after rebranding St James’ Park the Sports Direct Arena back in 2011.
It returned to its original title in 2012 when Wonga purchased the naming rights as part of their shirt sponsorship agreement.
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