Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales believes that the club are opening the door to a land of opportunity when it comes to working with the Public Investment Fund's long list of partners.
United are set to consult with supporters with the possibility of a naming rights deal with Saudi companies set to be discussed. Although, unlike the club's failed Sports Direct naming rights controversy, any possible deal may be worth millions to the club.
For example Barcelona have struck up a £250million deal with Spotify while Manchester City's partnership with Etihad was worth £400million.
READ MORE: Newcastle to change kit sponsors as club review all existing commercial deals
Eales told the local media: "When it comes to PIF’s investments, they invest globally in hundreds, if not thousands, of companies. From that alone, you’ve got the ability to have a door opening to a host of different conversations.
"I think that is a huge advantage that we have. Then, when I look at Newcastle United commercially and assess the other advantages that we’ve got, the fact we’ve got such a passionate and engaged fanbase is really attractive to commercial partners.
"That level of buy-in is really valued. I went to the European Club Association meeting a couple of weeks ago, and it was amazing that the number of clubs from around the world that came up to speak to me, the first thing they wanted to talk about was the supporters and the history of Newcastle United.
"People are really excited about our journey, and when we’re talking to companies and brands, that’s hugely compelling."
Eales has first-hand experience of landing major deals too after being the driving force behind Atlanta United's birth at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
He added: "I saw it in Atlanta. We didn’t have any fans, a team or even a stadium when I was talking to sponsors, but you would talk about the journey and that’s the bit that brands want to be associated with.
"They want to be associated with that now because then, when we get to where we want to get to, they were there and committed from the start. Think of the Newcastle Entertainers team now, and you think of that Newcastle Brown Ale logo that was part of it.
"There’s the chance to be part of our journey. We’ve got that, and then with PIF, there’s also that synergy of companies wanting to be associated with us because PIF have such a big global connection and network."
Saudi brands though are more than likely to be the order of the day at Newcastle.
Eales reflected: "We’ve got a lot of opportunity because of that ownership. Just in terms of Saudi Arabia, you’re talking about a young, growing country with 36 million people.
"Football’s the number one sport, so straight away, there’s an area of the globe that’s open to us and is pretty untapped. There’ll be companies that are interested in breaking into the Saudi market that we can do business with.
"We’ve got so many compelling things about us. Brands will always have different goals and objectives, but there’s going to be – and there already is – a line of companies that are excited to be part of this story.
"In the world of football, I’d say this is one of the most exciting stories out there. It’s Newcastle United, this sleeping giant of a club, going on a journey to hopefully be one of the top clubs in the world."
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