Newcastle-Online comment: 13th June 2004
Newcastle are planning a major marketing campaign in an attempt
to compete with the likes of Manchester United as the world's richest
football club. United have earmarked the United States of America
and Asia as the two biggest markets which could net the Magpies a
multi-million pound fortune over the next couple of years and are
already on the path to succeeding.
The Toon are the 9th-richest club in world football with a huge supporter
base at home and a global fanbase that is growing every year. With
initiatives such as the release of Goal!, the Hollywood blockbuster
based on the club, the MGM Casino deal and a pre-season tour of the
Far East in July where United will take on a Thailand XI and Hong
Kong club side Kit Chee, Chairman Freddy Shepherd is hoping that huge
funds will be generated from the exposure.
Newcastle are also planning a tour of the States in 2005-2006 to build
on their global branding initiative
Shepherd said: "We are trying to promote the worldwide branding of
Newcastle United.
"A club can make millions of pounds
in places like Asia.
"The big money is in television
and we are already making plans for the next three or four years."
Newcastle hope to open negotiations over TV deals in both Asia and
the States with the current TV rights ending in 2007. With United
in partnership with leading Chinese club side Dalian Shide it is believed
that the club can capitalise on that particular market and are making
big strides towards doing so.
Shepherd added: "Manchester United lead everyone when it comes to
worldwide branding but we are hoping to catch them."
Vinay Bedi, a director of Newcastle-based stockbrokers Wise Speke
believes Newcastle, with their global appeal, are not that far behind
the likes of Manchester United.
Bedi said: "What you have got to look at is the long-term picture.
"Television in the UK provides the bulk of most Premiership
clubs' revenue at this point but that has reached a plateau.
"The question is how Premiership clubs will develop their revenue
over the next 10 years.
"Clubs like Newcastle have a
limited ground capacity. There is little more they can do to the stadium
so they look to sell more shirts and develop exposure in the Far East.
"There is a huge audience there and it does not take
much to work out what that could mean if fans are paying even £1 a
game.
"Manchester United have made the greatest headway
and we know how much Liverpool are watched in Thailand.
"Overseas, Real Madrid have support in the Far East because of David
Beckham and Juventus have made great strides but Newcastle have a
good profile.
"They have a distinctive strip and they have one or two big-name players
such as Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer. Player profiles help a great
deal so Newcastle are not miles behind if there is a pot out there."
Edited 23rd July 2004: With Patrick Kluivert having
signed, expect shirt sales to go through the roof. |
 |
Toon
Shirts |
|
Sponsors |
|
|
