Everton has reportedly held talks with Qatar Airways about naming rights to their new stadium. The Daily Mail claims that team owner Farhad Moshiri spoke extensively with executives from the aviation company. These talks supposedly took place while Moshiri was in the Middle East for the World Cup in December.
The Toffees have been on the search for sponsorships for almost a year. This hunt began when Everton started cutting ties with companies linked to Alisher Usmanov. The businessman was sanctioned and phased out because of his connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Usmanov, through his diversified company USM Holdings, was paying about $14.5 million annually for Everton’s training ground. The Russian also supplied a $36 million payment for an option to buy the naming rights to the new stadium.
Everton’s new arena is scheduled to open before the start of the 2024/25 season. The Toffees have played their home matches at Goodison Park since opening in 1892. Goodison Park, nicknamed The Grand Old Lady, has also hosted an FA Cup Final, as well as a semifinal World Cup game in 1966.
Everton could be set for new ownership
It has been suggested that Moshiri needs help to fully fund the new stadium. Reports of a potential sale of the club have been discussed for months now.
Moshiri himself previously claimed that he was not putting Everton up for sale. “It will always be pragmatic to explore all potential investment opportunities”, Moshiri stated in July. “But I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale.”
Potential purchase by American has stalled
However, reports surfaced in September that an American businessman was in talks to buy the club. Nevertheless, there has not been any significant progress in a potential purchase of Everton.
Journalist David Ornstein emphasized this lack of progress during NBC Sports‘ FA Cup coverage on Friday. “We do know that Everton have been reportedly in takeover processes, but we haven’t heard any developments on that front,” stated Ornstein.
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