Report: Liverpool’s sponsorship plan sped up Newcastle’s FUN88 decision

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The fun is over for FUN88 and Newcastle United.

While the unveiling of the new Toon home shirt proved the Chinese betting company were going nowhere, that only tells half the story.

There were plenty of rumours suggesting a new sponsor was coming this season. When leaked shirts emerged with no FUN88 logo on them, we even suggested that this may hint that a new commercial partner is on the way.

But that isn’t the case, and the Magpies will continue to be sponsored by FUN88 – for now.

FUN88 deal ending early

As first reported by i News on Wednesday, Newcastle have reached an agreement to end their partnership with FUN88 early.

They have been our main shirt sponsor since 2017, appearing on every Newcastle kit since our return to the top flight under Rafa Benitez.

A long-term deal had been signed, but it will come to a premature end in 2023.

How Liverpool influenced Newcastle’s decision

The Times have provided some fresh information on the situation. They add that the deal was set to run until 2025.

However, it will be ended two years early, meaning Newcastle will be on the lookout for a new partner.

The reason is simple – the club are in a position to negotiate a much more appealing deal. That will boost our revenue and enhance our spending power in the coming years.

The fun88 deal is worth £6.5million-a-year, which is one of the least lucrative in the Premier League.

In contrast, Liverpool’s Standard Chartered deal is worth £40million-a-year. And the Times claim that the Reds intend to double that figure when their current deal expires next summer.

The report states that Liverpool’s intentions for an £80million-a-year sponsorship deal ‘hastened’ the Toon owners’ desire to ditch FUN88 and look elsewhere.

With the club boasting intentions of eventually challenging at the top of the Premier League, revenue is incredibly important. If the club is making more money then they will be able to spend more money, which will ultimately allow us to compete with the bigger boys in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s owners have lofty ambitions, but there is already a seismic financial gap to close up. And Liverpool’s £80million plan shows that gap is only going to get bigger.