Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted he expects a naming rights deal for the club’s new stadium to be in place by August – a whole year before the team relocate to their future home by the banks of the Mersey.
“Normally the year before opening is very valuable because the facility gets a lot more press and publicity as it gets closer to opening.“I would expect to see a naming rights partner come in sooner rather than later. “It won’t open until the start of the 2025-26 season, but there will be many concerts and test events – this sponsor will get bang for their buck.”The proposed takeover of Everton by US billionaire Dan Friedkin continues to move at pace with representatives of the Friedkin Group in Liverpool this week.
At the start of this week representatives of the Friedkin Group flew over from the US to visit Goodison Park, the club offices, and the site of the new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which is set to open for the start of the 2025/26 season, as part of normal due diligence, according to people familiar with the matter. Neither Dan Friedkin or son Ryan were part of the delegation.Alan Stubbs is adamant that Everton Stadium can provide an even better atmosphere than Goodison Park.
“We can also allay any fears fans’ might have on the atmosphere, because of the way it’s been designed. It’s important that we don’t lose that Everton DNA and I think the design of the stadium, in keeping the noise inside and making it intimidating is really important. “This is literally the most important room in the stadium and looking at it, I’m probably 20 years too late for this,” he joked.