The PIF are jetting over to Newcastle to scrutinise plans that affect St James’ Park’s future.
It has been a long-awaited decision, but one that Newcastle United fans are set to hear before the end of the season. St James’ Park has been Newcastle’s home for the club’s entire history but they could soon be playing their football elsewhere.
Earlier in February, plans were revealed that showed a new 70,000-seater stadium being built in Leazes Park, just behind the existing ground. Reports suggest that Newcastle would pay £1.2bn for a new stadium but could still stay at St James’ Park depending on what the PIF decide.
Expanding St James’ Park will cost £800m but would give the ground an extra eight thousand seats which would undoubtedly be filled immediately. It was then revealed that Newcastle have a third stadium plan which would just see St James’ Park be given a big makeover ahead of the 2028 European Championships. Newcastle are listed as a host city for the tournament but the ground will need a new lick of paint before then.
The PIF have a big choice to make, and now they could hand Newcastle a big financial boost with whatever option they choose.
PIF could secure Newcastle Stadium naming rights
The Premier League were rocked by independent tribunals ruling that their Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules were unlawful and deemed them null and void. Newcastle will benefit from the APR ruling which was originally put in place as a result of the Saudi-led takeover of the club in 2021.
The decision means that the PIF will now be able to provide more lucrative sponsorships to Newcastle which could finally see them become the commercial powerhouse they’ve always wanted to be.
Newcastle could even sue the Premier League if they can prove that they lost out on big money deals as a result of the rules.
In a report from the Athletic explaining what the APT rules mean for Newcastle, it was suggested that the club have been waiting for the outcome of the APT ruling, so they can get the most out of any future sponsorships. The report states that the real ‘money-spinning’ contracts now relate to the stadium, training ground and training kits.
Should Newcastle build a new stadium or redevelop St James’ Park alongside the new training ground, a company owned by the PIF may be able to pay a more profitable price for the naming rights.
- READ MORE – Simon Jordan explains why PIF should leave St James’ Park and build a new Newcastle United stadium
Newcastle’s plan for a new training ground
It was recently revealed that Newcastle have taken steps forward in their efforts of building a new state-of-the-art training ground after many years at the below-par Darsley Park. Thankfully, it looks like its days may finally be up as Newcastle officials assess other possible sites.
There are two spots in the pipeline including Gosforth Racecourse, which is believed to be the leading candidate. Although he played a part in Bournemouth’s training ground, Eddie Howe will not help with Newcastle’s training complex.
Howe was more involved in those areas of the club during his time at Bournemouth because of his rise up through the ranks with the club. The two teams are miles apart financially, so Newcastle will have different figures who will oversee production.
Reports suggest that it will take several years to finish Newcastle’s proposed training ground. In the meantime, the club will make changes to the existing complex in an attempt to improve its quality until they move to the new location.
A lot has changed since 2021. The club will become even more unfamiliar in the next few years.
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