Newcastle have appointed Majed Al Sorour, the CEO of Saudi Golf Federation, as a director. He is also an advisor to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, whose Governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan is also on Newcastle’s board of directors.
The Mail is confirming the appointment which was recorded on the latest Companies House filing. Al Sorour has been spotted at St. James’ Park with Al-Rumayyan during his visits this season.
The Mail also confirmed that Newcastle’s away kit for next season will be white with green trim, which is similar to the Saudi National Football team. The Saudis did qualify for the 2022 World Cup, which will take place toward the end of this year.
There has been some criticism of Newcastle’s apparent decision to adopt the white and green shirt for next season. However, it seems a relevant color scheme due to PIF’s stake in the club.
Newcastle have yet to announce any new sponsorship deals. In an interview in November, Amanda Staveley revealed that the then-Premier League moratorium on related-party sponsorship deals was holding things up saying:
“It is in the Premier League’s hands, but we will be seeking to do sponsorship deals as fast as possible. The moratorium does not stop us from working on them, getting ready for that time now. So it is really important.
“Our concern is that the process the Premier League do is quick enough so after we close the moratorium we can get sponsorships out. Obviously, that’s a really important part of the process.”
However, no sponsorship deals have been announced but we can likely expect some before the start of the next campaign as Newcastle build toward an exciting future.
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124 comments so far
the crown princes nashers
May 13, 2022 at 2:53 PM
Comment #41would love to see aramco on our tops, the worlds richest company worth 2.47 trillion
aramco in gold letters now what a sight to behold as others have said
Raj of Hailsley
May 13, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #42We already have players for the bench in Fede, Lascelles and Burn imo. Why not just buy a Botman and that’ll do.
Raj of Hailsley
May 13, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Comment #43IrishRob,
Your post about Edwards.
Toon fans bad
May 13, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Comment #44Mund,
Grant Hanley will have a sore napper after Norwich’s box getting peppered with crosses every week. He’ll have a breather for a season in the champo where the Norwich midfield will be too good and stop most of it higher up pitch.
And then they’ll probably come straight back up and his napper will be hurting again 😆
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Comment #45Tarkowski is no better than Lascelles. Just whack a tonne of money on Coady.
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Comment #46Raj,
Is Fede’s contract not up next month?
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:01 PM
Comment #47Sponsorship has to be deemed “fair value” for sure. That fair value must have increased recently considering the additional interest from the media. On that side of things, maybe these trash journos actually help us as the more people interested in stories about our club (even negative), the more will be exposed to our sponsors in one form or another, the more value we can claim for their sponsorship.
None of that changes the shirt colours though. If we pick a design and colour that sells like hot cakes and makes us a load of money, then that’s just good marketing, nothing else.
Gotta be honest, if you’re a Toon fan, unless you LOVE the colours of the away/3rd strip or you’re the kind of person who wants all 3 so you can match what the players wear on the day, surely you’d want the black & white stripes? I’ve never bought anything other than a home strip to be honest.
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:10 PM
Comment #48Never saw any problem with Schà r tbh…just a certain ex gonk didn’t recognize a proper footballer…ever!
So, whatever transpired B.E.(before Eddie), i think we can forget about.
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 3:11 PM
Comment #49TDS,
On the marketing part it could also act against you, if you lose a load of domestic sponsorship as a result if people feel the negative press is damaging their own brand through their connection to the club.
It’s unlikely, but could happen.
Either way, as I said earlier if it winds up a certain odious sub-human (that I have promised not to mention again) then it is OK with me.
Toon fans bad
May 13, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Comment #50Edwards as CEO/MD sounds like a natural progression from his role at Liverpool. Maybe the report in the past saying he wasn’t interested in the Toon was with reference to the SD role.
If Edwards does come in as CEO shortly he can cover SD role till Ashworth rocks up, while Amanda covers CEO role for Edwards till then, which she’s already been doing in effect.
If they all get into position the average age of all senior management from Eddie to CEO will be low to mid 40’s I think. Very young, ambitious, progressive set up all told. Almost like a project 😆
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:14 PM
Comment #51Dazzler
Based on amounts brought in by the last rabble(sponsorship), it’s chump change compared to what’s to come.
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Comment #52https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-castore-kit-leaked-change-23951388
Oh no!
The chronic is uncomfortable!
Toon fans bad
May 13, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Comment #53Someone mentioned wings earlier, was that with reference to the mighty air fryer?
Did some drumsticks last night. Rubbed with extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, cajun powder, salt and pepper. Marvellous upshot.
Wor tuff will be proud of me 😆
IrishRob
May 13, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Comment #54Jail somone else seems to be confusing him with a different Edwards.
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Comment #55Clint,
His form dipped because of the way we were set up, he was under pressure and never able to play to his strengths (when he wasn’t warming the bench)
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:18 PM
Comment #56I’d say Tarkowski is better than Lascelles for sure but we’ve been through this before. All of the relevant stats and my personal opinion say he’s slightly better BUT there’s no point in losing a respected player who knows the club and other players well for another who is a slight upgrade.
Only reason I’d say it makes sense to swap them is if Lascelles can command a big fee or he’s really keen to move and have more first team football. In either case, I’d say getting in Tarkowski on a free would be a good replacement.
And don’t forget, Tarkowski and Burn are a similar age, yet the former has 2 England caps and has been in the squad other times too…
Mund
May 13, 2022 at 3:18 PM
Comment #57Anyone know were the bucket has gone for slaty tears…?
Might need a few more me thinks…
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:20 PM
Comment #58dazzler – I reckon these boys and girls know a thing or two about doing decent marketing, or at least know enough to hire people who do. Considering their careful approach to everything, I’d be shocked if they jumped into any stupid decision.
Ginola's shampoo
May 13, 2022 at 3:21 PM
Comment #59Michael Edwards could maybe step up but the main thing we need is grow commercial revenue. This means leveraging networks and putting a compelling commercial case to sponsors. Ashworth can deal with football infrastructure growth and even transfers.
So Michael Edwards could step up, but I’d rather a genius at growing income in a sports or sponsor led public facing institution with marketing strength
Just my view. And on Michael Edwards previously saying no – wouldn’t read too much into it, if he was being interviewed he’d have to say no or perhaps he changed his mind
Adamn_92
May 13, 2022 at 3:23 PM
Comment #60Think the Tarkowski rumour will keep popping up but I honestly don’t see it happening.
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 3:23 PM
Comment #61TDS – It may be that given the crappy revenue from current sponsors we could afford to lose all of it and replace it with the 20-30m from the shirt sales in KSA and then replace ALL of our sponsorship at market rates – If that were the case, then it would be an absolute masterstroke.
I’m not in marketing so can’t really comment other than in very basic, very personal opinions.
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:24 PM
Comment #62Dazzler
Doesn’t alter the fact that schar was always a good player, it was the management of him.
Same with most, as Eddie has illustrated perfectly in recent months.
You don’t instantly become good or bad at football, overnight. It’s a drawn out process engineered by crap coaches.
dazzler
May 13, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Comment #63Ginola,
Maybe he said no to the DOF / SD role, he’s already done it for 10 years and one of the best clubs in world football and been instrumental in said club’s recent success.
Personally think he’d be an inspired choice as CEO, with Ashworth developing the club from grassroots up. Plus he’ll know what his job remit is and where he can/can’t add value so no doubt would recruit to cover the areas he isn’t up to snuff on.
Mund
May 13, 2022 at 3:29 PM
Comment #64Amnesty having their say now 🙄
Any chance…
Any opportunity…
They will take it and the streets will flow with salty tears
Raj of Hailsley
May 13, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Comment #65Mund,
Given you won’t answer you slimy toad I’ll take it that post about the penny dropping was aimed at me, given it was posted just after my comment. For the record I have never once questioned the ambitions of the owners and have pointed out many times about Stavely outlining her ambitions as well as the players backing that up.
cleveleysbob
May 13, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Comment #66Clint, that’s probably under instructions of their owners @ the mirror group (Reach) is the overall group name these days and why articles keep popping up all over the place, they own almost every local paper in U.K.
Toon fans bad
May 13, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Comment #67This ‘Fair market value’ thing.
Who decides fair market value?
If 10 sponsors rock up wanting to pay the ‘Fair market value’ established by some suit at the EPL, is the ‘Fair market value’ not just an amount to start the bidding at?
You can’t restrict the amount someone is prepared to pay for sponsorship unless they’re linked to the PIF obviously.
Sure Amanda said in the past about how surprised they with the interest from parties having absolutely no ties to the PIF or KSA.
We could be in for a proper curveball.
At least we know it won’t be a dodgy loan company or online casino 😆
Mund
May 13, 2022 at 3:31 PM
Comment #68I ignore him and I still get insulted 🙄
Anyways…
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:32 PM
Comment #69Dazzler – I’m not sure what metrics they use to work out the market rates of sponsorship but it’s got to be a little subjective. A sponsor signing a multi-year deal could be considered to be overpaying initially but expecting to be underpaying partway through the contract due to the club’s expected rise. I’d have thought some sponsorship contracts might include additional payments based on certain milestones (cup finals, European matches etc.) but others might just be a flat rate based on the expected trend of the club and they win or lose based on whether those expectations are exceeded or missed.
I’m sure they’ve got some smart people on it to maximise revenue. Pretty sure they’ll go close to the wire with the rules too but who cares, right? Every other club gets as close to the rules as possible and just tries to avoid a problem.
Mund
May 13, 2022 at 3:33 PM
Comment #70Looking forward to when the new shirts drop as I’ll get everyone of them.
Refused to buy one during the tyrants tenure but excited to get them next season
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:33 PM
Comment #71Cbob
It’s the content…
… I’m sure I’ll get round to caring what they feel uncomfortable about…or, probably not.
😀
cleveleysbob
May 13, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Comment #72Clint, the Reach Group
Reach plc (known as Trinity Mirror between 1999 and 2018) is a British newspaper, magazine and digital publisher. It is one of Britain’s biggest newspaper groups, publishing 240 regional papers in addition to the national Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, The Sunday People, Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, Daily Star Sunday as well as the Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail and the magazine OK!. Since purchasing Local World, it has gained 83 print publications. Reach plc’s headquarters are at Canary Wharf in London. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Comment #73Tfb
Good plan…hundreds of sponsors!
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:35 PM
Comment #74Raj – I’m going to have to say it, but if you (or I or anyone else) want to criticise Mund when he starts to insult people just because he disagrees with them, we can’t do the same. Makes you just as bad as him.
Best that we all leave the insults out isn’t it? Just ends up escalating too often and the blog gets ridiculous…
ToonDarnSarf
May 13, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Comment #75Mund – like you, I refused to buy a shirt under Ashley. Not quite sure what’s on the front of mine to be honest but it’s not Wonga!
Ginola's shampoo
May 13, 2022 at 3:37 PM
Comment #76In established clubs who are maintaining their level a more footballing background CEO is ok like Oliver Kahn (Bayern) or Van Der Sar (Ajax), but for a club like us going through rapid (I hope!) business change somebody who knows about doing that and bringing in sponsors/revenue growth would be my preference.
Look at the background of Soriano (City), Jonathan Guy Laurence (Chelsea), Gazidis (AC Milan), Fernando Roig Alfonso (Villareal), Domingos Soares de Oliveira (Benfica) etc [Disclaimer those are just my opinions of currently well run clubs but you could find your own examples and I’d be shocked if they were ex Sporting Directors]
None were Sporting Directors, all had a strong business background (or growing MLS for Gazidis)
That’s the sort of profile I would expect not Michael Edwards (as talented a Sporting Director as he is). If Michael Edwards left football, joined a major commercial company, succeeded in senior role in a growth scenario, and then came for the Newcastle CEO job, then cool. On his current CV would be very strange. Happily have him in another footballing or Vice President role though!
CLINT FLICK
May 13, 2022 at 3:37 PM
Comment #77Cbob
Mirrorgroup/former fleetway publisher.
Former ‘so called’ left wing newspaper.
Evil bob Maxwell?
That one?
So, that’s what happened to them.
Toon fans bad
May 13, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Comment #78I get the feeling the Saudi golf bloke newly appointed to the board will be sorting the sponsors out
cleveleysbob
May 13, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Comment #79Don’t bother with the article Clint it’s the same old same old!! 😆
Ginola's shampoo
May 13, 2022 at 3:41 PM
Comment #80On the Sponsorship somebody else put it well – if its more than what any other club in the Prem gets then it’ll be flagged. If its just below the top teams like City/Liverpool then hard to definitively say it is not fair value.
And we could even have an agreement as per the above and have clauses for it to grow (or be renegotiated in parts) as we reach those heights