Newcastle United rename stadium
10/11/2011
Fans enjoying Premier League hospitality at St James' Park will find their next trip involves watching at a renamed venue.
The stadium will take on the name of the Sports Direct Arena - after the company owned by chairman Mike Ashley.
Managing director Derek Llambias said the move is a temporary one designed to "showcase" the venue to potential sponsors, who would enjoy full naming rights instead of simply tacking their names onto the end of St James' Park.
The decision may disappoint some supporters, but those watching events on the pitch will have been delighted with the success the team is having as it is still unbeaten in the league and lies third in the table, above the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.
Newcastle are one of a number of clubs whose stadiums carry sponsors' names, others including Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
