Ahead of the GAME: Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has held talks with Qatar Airways over a potential naming rights deal for the club’s new stadium… as Newcastle take on camera crew to document the push for Champions League football
- Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has held talks over a deal for their new stadium
- Moshiri negotiated with Qatar Airways about naming rights to the Bramley-Moore dock
- He was in Doha during the World Cup when he spoke with Qatar Airways
- Plus, Newcastle hired a camera crew to document their rising success
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has held talks with Qatar Airways over a potential naming rights deal for the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore docks.
Everton have been looking for new sponsors since last March after cutting ties with companies linked to Alisher Usmanov.
The Russian businessman’s USM Holdings is paying a £12million-a-year naming fee for the club’s training ground as well as a one-off payment of £30m for the option to buy the naming rights in the new £ 500m stadium, which is due to open for the start of the 2024-25 season.
Moshiri was in Doha during the World Cup and is understood to have held talks with Qatar Airways executives, although an agreement was not reached.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri (L) talks with Qatar Airways about naming rights deals
EFL ON IT’S OWN OVER PAY DEAL
The Government has told the Premier League and EFL it will not interfere in their negotiations on a new financial deal despite Downing Street’s plan to introduce a football regulator.
The EFL is demanding 25 per cent of the Premier League’s TV revenues as part of the so-called New Deal for Football which will also see parachute payments slashed, and hopes pressure from the Government will force the top-flight club to agree. to their requests.
However, Downing Street officials are understood to have made it clear they will not be taking part in the discussions, and told both parties to reach an agreed settlement. The new regulator’s focus is more likely to be on empowering test owners and directors and giving fans a better say.
The Premier League and EFL have been given strict instructions which the government must follow
TUNE IN FOR TOON’S EURO BID
Newcastle have recruited an external production company to film extensive behind-the-scenes footage of their battle to secure Champions League football, with the aim of selling the content to one of the big sports documentary producers such as Amazon or Netflix.
Sportsmail it was revealed last year that Amazon were targeting Newcastle to feature in their next All Or Nothing series and are understood to have opened negotiations with the club, although nothing has been signed.
Newcastle have taken matters into their own hands to some extent, however, and have already started filming.
Newcastle fans can tune into a new documentary following their club’s success
TOTTENHAM AX CLUB LEGENDS
Tottenham have cut the number of former players employed to entertain their corporate guests on match days, with club legend Paul Miller one of the casualties.
The double FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner has not been used in a hospitality role this season despite being a regular in previous campaigns, although he was interviewed as a guest on the pitch at half-time.
Tottenham have cut the number of former players on duty from 20 to 12 as a result of changes made to the way they run the stadium. Those who are no longer in use still have the right to access match tickets.
Spurs have axed a number of former players who work to entertain visitors on match days
AMERICANS EYE MILLWALL DEAL
Millwall are attracting interest from a number of American buyers, although none of the potential new owners appear willing to match chairman John Berylson’s asking price.
The American businessman has spent more than £100million on the club since a full takeover was completed in 2007 and he wants to recoup a significant portion of that investment if he sells.
A number of prospective buyers visited the club only to balk at Berylson’s £80m valuation.
Many buyers are interested in buying Millwall but have yet to meet the asking price
CLUB HONOR MURDERED STAR
Stratford Town are honoring the memory of murdered defender Cody Fisher, who was stabbed to death in a Birmingham nightclub on Boxing Day, by starting a fund to help youngsters become coaches.
The Southern League Premier Central club has launched the Cody 23 Community Fund, to run alongside their education academy programme, with the support of Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi.
Fisher is 23 years old and also wears the No 23 shirt for Stratford. Kami Carpenter, 21, and Remy Gordon, 22, both from Birmingham, appeared at the city’s Crown Court on Monday, charged with Cody’s murder.
