Newcastle face scrutiny over new 25m Saudi sponsorship deal
The Guardian Newcastle have finalised a 25m-a-year front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with the leading Saudi Arabian events company Sela. The agreement will provide an early litmus test of the Premier Leagues new fair market value commercial regulations.
The multi-year contract is a sharp increase on the clubs 6.5m-a-year shirt sponsorship with the Chinese online gambling company Fun88, reflecting the teams ascent to the top four and, with it, qualification for next seasons Champions League.
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Given that Sela is majority-owned by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, which holds an 80% stake in Newcastle, the tie-up will automatically have to be scrutinised by an independent Premier League panel to determine whether it represents true market value.
