Report: Newcastle United could be sponsored by Botswana next season

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Sponsorship is set to be a big part of the new Newcastle United owners’ project.

The club hasn’t made the most of commercial opportunities in recent years, with Sports Direct plastered all over St James’ Park for a fee well below the market value.

But new ownership brings new ambition and vision. And also new legislation.

The Premier League changed their sponsorship rules earlier in the year, meaning every new deal must be scrutinised by the league to ensure it represents fair market value.

This came after clubs feared Newcastle would agree inflated sponsorship packages with Saudi-based companies following the takeover. Weirdly, they weren’t concerned about the aforementioned Sports Direct deal during Mike Ashley’s tenure.

A new sponsor could soon be on the horizon, and it may come from a country further afield. However, it’s not Saudi Arabia.

Newcastle in talks to be sponsored by Botswana

According to Mmegi Sport, the Magpies are in talks with the government of Botswana over a potential sponsorship deal.

They want to promote tourism in their country, as well as ‘other sports-related areas’. A Botswanan delegate met with the Toon directors recently to discuss a potential partnership.

The report adds if a deal is agreed, the Botswana brand will appear on Newcastle’s shirt sleeves and on the advertising hoardings inside St James’ Park next season.

This type of sponsorship probably comes as a surprise to Toon fans, who are keen to see which company appears on the new kits for the 22/23 campaign.

The report from Mmegi Sport doesn’t suggest Botswana would be the main shirt sponsor for Newcastle. News on what that will be will hopefully arrive soon before the new shirts are unveiled. While nothing is official, leaked kits have surfaced online, including a Saudi-inspired away jersey.

Being sponsored by a country does seem strange, but it’s not uncommon. Arsenal have a similar deal with Rwanda, with ‘Visit Rwanda’ appearing on the Gunners’ sleeves. That deal is reportedly worth £10million-per-year.

However, that deal is highly controversial. A similar deal between Newcastle and Botswana would no doubt be heavily scrutinised.