Everton could seal stadium naming rights deal with 'billionaire' - Keith Wyness

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the door could open to a stadium naming rights deal with “billionaires” if Man City win their legal challenge against the Premier League.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed such a deal would let the Merseysiders “keep spending”, but suggested it would be a bad thing for football.

According to The Times (4 June), Man City have launched unprecedented legal action against the Premier League in an attempt to end Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules – which the club claims are unlawful.

APT rules attempt to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals through companies linked with ownership groups.

For example, City have struck deals with United Arab Emirates flag-carrying airline Etihad for the naming of their stadium and shirt sponsorship – which is worth £65million per year.

Everton could seal ‘billionaire’ deal if ‘open season’ begins, says Wyness

Everton chief Richard Kenyon revealed in February that “good progress” is being made in finding a naming rights partner for the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, which is set to open in 2025.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “If City were to win this case, then Everton could fix some problems with a big sponsorship deal.

“But they’d have to find the right sponsor. When Mr Usmanov was around, it looked like he was the solution.

“There will be multi-billionaires around if City win this case, and it will be open season. Clubs who can’t connect and get one will be at a severe disadvantage.

“These rules wanted to level the playing field, and City are trying to damage that.

“But in theory, yes, if City win the case then Everton could find a billionaire sponsor to come in and help them keep spending – but that’s not what I see football as being.

“We’ve lost sight of the whole thing if it becomes an arms race with money.”

In other news, Everton “confident” of midfielder deal as Tottenham swoop.

For more Everton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Everton could seal stadium naming rights deal with 'billionaire' - Keith Wyness appeared first on Football Insider.