Newcastle United are set for their biggest-ever sponsorship deal for the 2023/24 season with their agreement with Fun88 ended a year early.
News of Fun88's deal in 2017 brought with it talk that the agreement was the most lucrative in club history as former stars such as Supermac, Bob Moncur and Frank Clark launched the kit at the training ground. The Chinese betting firm will see their logo on the shirt for the final time in the Premier League after the last match of the season away to Chelsea though.
Half a decade ago the word at United was that Fun88's deal had beaten the £24million Wonga deal in place in the years before. But at £6.5million a year, Fun88's deal could look like a drop in the ocean as the club prepare for their next big commercial move.
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Newcastle recently announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia but it remains to be seen whether their names will be emblazoned on kits next season. United's recent partnership with Saudia came with pictures of CEO Darren Eales and Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer holding up Newcastle shirts with blank sponsors suggesting they may be in the box seat to be club sponsors next term.
United already announced what was described as a "record-breaking partnership" with Noon.com with a £7.5million deal struck. Noon.com's sleeve partner deal is bigger than the current main sponsorship deal.
CEO Eales also has talks with Castore planned but it remains to be seen if there is any change in kit manufacturer. Meanwhile SAUDIA have big plans for United on their upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia.
And the airline is offering prizes to meet the team and watch from VIP seats ahead of the friendly game against Al-Hilal.
The club's Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone, said: "Whilst Newcastle United is on an exciting and ambitious journey to grow our global reach and fanbase, we are also very focussed on growing our fan base and following in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East.
"Our ambition is to become the most supported English Premier League football team in Saudi Arabia; a country whose population includes a large, young, passionate and highly engaged football community.
"We are delighted to partner with SAUDIA as our official tour airline partner, and we look forward to working with them during our trip to Riyadh and for the remainder of the 2022/23 English Premier League Season."
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