Adidas are leading the betting odds for Newcastle United naming rights

The current Championship Leaders Newcastle United are embroiled in controversy following the owner Mike Ashley’s decision to put up for auction the naming rights to St James Park. As well as the outcry from Newcastle fans it has even reached the House of Commons with Tyneside MP, David Clelland tabling a motion calling for Ashley to reconsider his decision.

The name St James Park has been associated with Newcastle United since 1892. Ashley took over control of Newcastle in 2007 for £134 million and has been trying to offload the club in the last few months following their relegation from the Barclays Premiership. However he has now taken the club off the market and has announcing he will be providing investment of £25 in the new few months, this will be bolstered by the sale of the naming rights.

Who will win the naming rights for St James Park?

• 5/2 – Adidas
• 5/2 – Carling
• 9/2 – Sports Direct
• 7/1 – MBNA
• 8/1 – Barclays
• 20/1 – Scottish & Newcastle
• 25/1 – Emirates
• 33/1 – Siemens
• 33/1 – Orange
• 33/1 – Banco Santander
• 33/1 – Proctor & Gamble

Many English clubs have allowed the rights to the Stadium to be sold for commercial benefit but generally this is done when a club moves from an old stadium to a new purpose built one, recent examples of this are Arsenal with the Emirates Stadium and Coventry City with the Ricoh arena. The financial benefits can be quite rewarding as it was reported that Coventry earn a £1 million a year for 10 years from Ricoh, not bad for a mid table Coca Cola Championship side.

Click here to place your bet on the Stadium name and claim your £25 free bet with Stan James