Newcastle United will have a new kit sponsor for the 2023/24 season, and the Shields Gazette has provided an update on the club’s search for a new partnership.
It was reported earlier in the year that the Magpies’ association with FUN88 will be coming to a premature end. The Chinese betting company became Newcastle’s main shirt sponsor in 2017, following promotion back to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez.
The agreement between Newcastle and FUN88 was then extended in 2020, but now the new owners want a change.
PIF and co are looking to raise revenue at St James’ Park, which allow them to invest more money into the club. Therefore, they want a more lucrative shirt sponsorship deal.
It was reported in June by i News that the club have agreed to end their deal with FUN88 earlier than anticipated.
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The betting company’s logo will not be on the Toon shirt from next season, and the Shields Gazette has provided an update on the situation.
Newcastle’s new kit sponsor might not be a Saudi company
Given Newcastle’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and the sponsors that have already been agreed, there has been huge speculation that the shirt sponsor will be a Saudi company.
We already have Noon as our sleeve sponsor, while the club recently announced that Saudia will be the club’s travel sponsor for next month’s trip to Saudi Arabia.
All roads appear to lead to a lucrative deal with a Saudi company for the shirt sponsor, but that might not be the case.
According to the Shields Gazette, there is a strong possibility that a non-Saudi sponsor will replace FUN88 on Newcastle’s kits.
That will come as a surprise to many. And it points towards Newcastle’s increased popularity across the globe.
When the takeover went through, there was fear from other clubs that Newcastle would agree over-inflated deals with Saudi companies as an FFP loophole. The Premier League have since made new rules to ensure that can’t happen.
Newcastle’s next sponsor will be a big one. There is a real desire to increase the club’s revenue through sponsorship. And if they can do that by using a company that isn’t linked to the consortium then that would be even better, as it would avoid further questions from outside about the owners.