The billion-dollar sales of USA sports franchises is a sign of the 'huge growth' available to Newcastle United and their Premier League rivals. That is the view of Magpies co-owner Jamie Reuben after he was asked about the prospect of top-flight clubs catching up with the valuations across the Atlantic.
Reuben along with co-owners Mehrdad Ghodoussi, Amanda Staveley and the backing of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, eventually saw their takeover approved in October 2021. Mike Ashley agreed to the mid-season £305 million sale, with Newcastle's top-flight status in serious doubt after a nightmare opening to the campaign.
Steve Bruce's side sat in the relegation zone after a winless beginning to the season, and a first victory would not arrive until December under his replacement Eddie Howe. The owners' decision to green light the deal despite the team's struggles has quickly been vindicated however, with the Magpies now preparing for a first European campaign in a decade after securing a Champions League spot.
READ MORE: Jamie Reuben addresses flawed Newcastle transfer 'expectation', FFP strategy and Chelsea's spending
Staveley stressed the consortium 'bought well' in the wake of Todd Boehly's £4.25bn takeover of Chelsea in May last year. Manchester United remain in the midst of a lengthy buyout process, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim competing for a deal which could reportedly reach up to £6bn.
Reuben was quizzed on the prospective 'ceiling' for Premier League clubs such as Newcastle, a phrase which became the subject of controversy earlier this season with Jurgen Klopp's response to sporting director Dan Ashworth. The Magpies co-owner believes the potential for the division to expand into untapped global markets and the upcoming record sale of NFL franchise Washington Commanders proves the club's own valuation could skyrocket over the coming seasons.
He told the Business of Sport podcast: "Definitely there's a huge amount of growth. We spoke on half the world not really being exposed hugely to the Premier League so there's huge opportunity in that.
"I mean, we'd have to look to the US to some of the franchise values. Was it the Commanders that just sold for or is being sold for $6bn or something? NBA teams, there's not an NBA team less than $2bn-$3bn today. Doesn't matter where you are in terms of how you're playing and they're relatively domestic."
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