‘Newcastle want to match Man City after controversial move’
Newcastle United could be preparing to ramp up their commercial activities following a controversial update at St James’ Park.
The Tyneisde club have struggled to comply with the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) secured its £305million takeover in October 2021.
Under the PSR rules, top-flight sides are only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period.
Newcastle’s progress has also been blocked by the Premier League’s associated party transaction (APT) rules, having been prevented from agreeing lucrative deals linked to their owners in recent years.
The north-east giants struck sponsorship deals with Sela and Noon worth a combined £32.5million, but they could have potentially banked a higher fee without the APT rules in place.
Newcastle smashed their club-record revenue in 2023-24 after their overall turnover surged from £250million to £320million.
Meanwhile, their commercial revenue improved from £47million in 2022-23 to £86million last season following their lucrative deals with Sela, Noon and Adidas.
Newcastle move confirmed after official statement
Newcastle have now announced a controversial decision after confirming they will change their badge.
A statement on the club’s website read: “This isn’t a decision we take lightly. We love our crest. It’s iconic and has stood us through unforgettable triumphs and testing times. But it was created in a different era.
“Its intricate design doesn’t always translate well in today’s digital world. And it’s difficult to reproduce it clearly and consistently. As football and the world changes, so too must the symbol that unites us.”
Newcastle are clearly looking to appeal to a global audience and increase their commercial activities in a bid to improve their revenues.
While a new badge isn’t going to directly deliver new sponsorship deals, it could well be a part of their plans to tap into new revenue streams.
The fact they said the current badge’s “intricate design doesn’t always translate well in today’s digital world” suggests they are thinking about collaborations with brands.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool | 35 | 82 | 46 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 35 | 67 | 33 |
| 3 | Man City | 35 | 64 | 24 |
| 4 | Newcastle United | 35 | 63 | 21 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 35 | 63 | 21 |
| 6 | Nottingham Forest | 35 | 61 | 12 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 35 | 60 | 6 |
Newcastle follow Tottenham after confirmed news
It would be a surprise if Newcastle didn’t agree multiple new commercial deals in the coming years as there is huge scope for them within that space as they look to compete with the top clubs financially.
Tottenham changed their badge last year to appeal to a global audience, while Manchester City revamped their crest in 2016.
Those two clubs have had great success commercially in recent years, with Man City’s commercial revenue increasing to £341million and Spurs’ standing at £255million last season.
Newcastle are aware they have to grow their commercial income to avoid being restricted by the spending rules moving forward, and the badge change could be part of their long-term strategy.
For more Newcastle United news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.