The Sports Direct Arena

[King Kev]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

I'm fine with Eastlands being renamed The Etihad but would not have been too impressed had they done the same thing to Maine Road.

Thoughts?

[Yffi_88]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

I'm fine with Eastlands being renamed The Etihad but would not have been too impressed had they done the same thing to Maine Road.

Thoughts?

The Etihad also sounds a lot better than the sports direct arena. I bet the toon will be seeing their arse on this, as we would have with renaming Maine Road.

Don't know ANY of the details - Is this part of a sponsorship thing that Ashley has masterminded? Sponsoring one business with another... Will that count to their fair play finances?

Edit: they'd have to get in Europe for that to matter obviously!

[BlueinBosnia]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

Thoughts?

I think it could potentially be a huge marketing failure, actually. Their ground is known as SJP (the other one) amongst football fans in the UK, and UEFA sponsorship rules will prevent them using the new corporate name in Europe. As Sports Direct are moving heavily into internet-based sales, and also establishing stores throughout Europe, this European Football market is undoubtedly what they were targeting. All in all, I can't imagine this being a particularly beneficial deal for Sports Direct.

[bluej]

I think it could potentially be a huge marketing failure, actually. Their ground is known as SJP (the other one) amongst football fans in the UK, and UEFA sponsorship rules will prevent them using the new corporate name in Europe. As Sports Direct are moving heavily into internet-based sales, and also establishing stores throughout Europe, this European Football market is undoubtedly what they were targeting. All in all, I can't imagine this being a particularly beneficial deal for Sports Direct.

But they've tried retaining the SJP name in the name already (wasn't it called Sportsdirect@st James park or something before?) and no one went for that, I guess this was just the next logical step.

Got to admire Ashley though, everytime it looks like everything has settled down, he pulls a stunt like this.

[CityGer]

The Etihad and The Emirates have at least got a decent ring to them. The Sports Direct Arena sounds awful.

However, I imagine the Geordies will be apolpletic about this and will no doubt be doing their usual and staging a mass protest. In light of this I'm absolutely fine with it. Anything that annoys the 'best fans in the world' is fine by me.

[Alex Sapphire]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

I'm fine with Eastlands being renamed The Etihad but would not have been too impressed had they done the same thing to Maine Road.

Thoughts?

Just ask York City fans whether they enjoyed turning up at "KitKat Crescent" every other Saturday
And imagine if this had taken place at "Coca Cola Park"?

[Mike J]

i would of been gutted had it been maine road. feel sorry for the barcode fans

[MARKMAKAVELI]

Sad but it's the way the games going. I bet the players will end up looking like Formula One drivers soon enough with all the sponsorships.

[Yffi_88]

Sad but it's the way the games going. I bet the players will end up looking like Formula One drivers soon enough with all the sponsorships.

Really, really hope not, but like you say... its the way things are going. I think it will (and maybe already has) happen in the lower leagues first.

I doubt we'lll ever be as bad as American sports though. I enjoy a bit of UFC now and again and EVERYTHING is sponsored in that. The clock, the replay, the tale-of-the-tape etc etc. Thats a factor why 'soccer' hasnt taken off over there either. There's not enough time in a 90 minute match with only one break in it for all the adverts. I really hope we dont go that way.

[Ted Hughes]

I don't see why St James should get free publicity.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Really, really hope not, but like you say... its the way things are going. I think it will (and maybe already has) happen in the lower leagues first.

I doubt we'lll ever be as bad as American sports though. I enjoy a bit of UFC now and again and EVERYTHING is sponsored in that. The clock, the replay, the tale-of-the-tape etc etc. Thats a factor why 'soccer' hasnt taken off over there either. There's not enough time in a 90 minute match with only one break in it for all the adverts. I really hope we dont go that way.

I watching a Stoke match last month and the announcer said that the 'substitution was sponsored by..'. Everything will be sponsored soon, it's just the drive of a money driven industry. See no reason why Newcastle shouldn't cash in too.

[Alioune DVToure]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

I'm fine with Eastlands being renamed The Etihad but would not have been too impressed had they done the same thing to Maine Road.

Thoughts?

Just ask [strike]York City[/strike] Brighton & Hove Albion fans whether they enjoyed [strike]turning[/strike] taking it up [strike]at[/strike] "KitKat Crescent" every other Saturday
And imagine if this had taken place at "Coca Cola Park"?

Corrected for you.

[Yffi_88]

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias says the club can generate up to £10m a season by attracting a joint shirt and stadium sponsor.

The Magpies have changed the name of their St James' Park stadium to the Sports Direct Arena in an effort to attract a new naming partner.

Llambias says the club need extra funds to compete in the Premier League.

"I would hope to generate between £8m-10m a year, that will give us another player," Llambias told BBC Newcastle.

"To compete we need to go further, we've had a fantastic start."

Newcastle are third in the Premier League, having won seven of their opening 11 matches.

Llambias added: "The fans want us to buy more players, we need a new striker in January, we'll need replacements in the summer.

"We need to give ourselves as much of a chance as possible."
Stadium sponsorship is growing in English football, with most new-build venues such as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and Brighton's Amex Stadium utilising brands to help finance costs.
Manchester City completed a deal worth £400m over 10 years to sponsor their existing City of Manchester Stadium with Etihad Airways in July of this year.

Similarly to Newcastle's plans, Chelsea are considering the option of selling the naming rights of Stamford Bridge, a venue they have been synonymous with since their formation in 1905.

"The history is always going to be there, we need to become part of the history," Llambias said.

"Chelsea have come out to say they're going to rename their present stadium. They have a lot of history as well but they actually have an owner (Roman Abramovich) who has more money than God.

Continue reading the main story I've got a very small window to sell the shirt and naming rights and, if I have to sell them separately, then I have to sell them separately
Derek Llambias

Newcastle United MD
"We can't compare ourselves with Abramovich, we haven't got that sort of money. If we want to compete with the big boys we have to bring more revenue in."

The club's shirt sponsorship deal with north east bank Northern Rock is to expire at the end of the season, and pressure is on to replace the branding in time for next season.

"I need to find a new shirt sponsor by the end of December - and that's the latest," added Llambias.

"Puma need to put the shirt sponsor on, they're manufacturing, and they would like it last month.

"I've got a very small window to sell the shirt and naming rights and, if I have to sell them separately, then I have to sell them separately.

"But we must give ourselves the opportunity, this is inviting people to come in."


bbc

[Alex Sapphire]

I don't like the idea of renaming long established grounds for sponsorship purposes.

I'm fine with Eastlands being renamed The Etihad but would not have been too impressed had they done the same thing to Maine Road.

Thoughts?

Just ask [strike]York City[/strike] Brighton & Hove Albion fans whether they enjoyed [strike]turning[/strike] taking it up [strike]at[/strike] "KitKat Crescent" every other Saturday
And imagine if this had taken place at "Coca Cola Park"?

Corrected for you.

Nice

[BlueinBosnia]

"Chelsea have come out to say they're going to rename their present stadium. They have a lot of history as well but they actually have an owner (Roman Abramovich) who has more money than God.

Interesting choice of words. Religious beliefs aside, does god actually have any money?

[Yffi_88]

"Chelsea have come out to say they're going to rename their present stadium. They have a lot of history as well but they actually have an owner (Roman Abramovich) who has more money than God.

Interesting choice of words. Religious beliefs aside, does god actually have any money?

He doesnt need any. He has a wand.

[Dubciteh]

You have got to admire Ashley, he couldn't of picked a better time to announce it(it was always going to happen) in the middle of their best run in decades, during international week when they have no more home matches until December. He is not as silly as he looks.

[Alex Sapphire]

another institution gets the sponsorship treatment:

[youtube]JKdLZ9P9RdQ[/youtube]

[feedthegreek]

ive heard a rumour west ham, might become the ann summers arena, maybe walmai might know.lol
micky quinn werent so keen on talkshite this morning, you dont know the history ,

[Yffi_88]

cue Ewood Park turning into Venky's Stadium.