A general view of Newcastle United supporters waiting outside the stadium for news of the latest developments in the sale of the club to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund for 300 million-pound ($408 million) takeover in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England Thursday Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Keith Wyness, the former CEO of Aston Villa and Everton, believes there is “no doubt” that Newcastle United can make £80 million from kit suppliers over the next few years.
Last week, Adidas and the Magpies rekindled their association, as hundreds of supporters waited outside St. James’ Park to get their hands on the 2024–25 home jersey. The £40 million annual contract that the German sports behemoth inked with Newcastle significantly improved the team’s FFP/PSR balance sheet.
Castore, the previous manufacturer, only stumped up around £5million before the agreement was cut short early. Toon chiefs, namely Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone, have made boosting revenue streams a top priority since the Saudi-backed takeover.
However, the Magpies remain some way behind the Premier League big boys, with Manchester United raking in around £90million per season from Adidas. Newcastle’s current deal is the sixth-most lucrative in the division, behind the Red Devils, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Everton supremo Wyness commended Newcastle and backed them for further rewards in future. He said: “You’ll have to get up to the £40million, £60million, £70million, £80million level before Newcastle start to see a major impact in terms of revenue coming in for transfer business.
“But I’ve got no doubt that the figures from kit and merchandise sales this year will give them a great bargaining position. Of course, it also comes down to on-pitch performance. If they can qualify for the Champions League or Europe, that will trigger bonuses and allow them to go further.
“It’s (about) results on the football pitch, but Newcastle are poised to do that. Good luck to them. I hope they become one of the clubs at the top end of the mix. It’d be great for football.”
