Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media, after the club announced a £30million deal with Alisher Usmanov for an exclusive option on naming rights for our new stadium.
Chief Finance and Commercial Officer Sasha Ryazantsev confirmed that Usmanov has strengthened his ties with the club while speaking at Tuesday night’s General Meeting.
Usmanov’s holding company USM already sponsors the club’s training ground at Finch Farm, and Ryazantsev added that the tenure of the contract has been extended and increased in value, along with the new package of rights which includes our planned new ground at the Bramley-Moore docks.
There are no guarantees over what the new stadia will be named, though Usmanov will have a first refusal on the naming rights while the contract will be set at a pre-arranged yearly fee and term.
Do you like the idea of Usmanov naming our new ground?
Yes, as it brings in more funds to the club
No, the name should have some significance
“We are delighted to announce the club has entered into a £30m new arrangement with USM, in addition to our existing relationship,” said Ryazantsev.
“USM purchased an option that enables them to enter into a naming rights contract for our new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock at a pre-agreed annual value and term.
“This innovative deal secures additional commercial revenue for the Club and the option premium we are due to receive will be exclusively used as the Club’s further contribution to the project’s equity.”
Usmanov, who sold his shares in Arsenal to Stan Kroenke for a reported £550m in 2018, revealed to the Financial Times earlier in the year that he was considering a greater investment into Everton.
The Russian billionaire is a close friend and business partner of Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to news of the club’s eight-figure naming rights deal with Usmanov…
Haha “heres 30 mil to allow me to give you even more at some point” up the dodgy blues
— Simon Edmondson (@Si_EFC) January 14, 2020
Now that’s what I call creative accounting!
— john bee (@johnbee77554498) January 14, 2020
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT
— ZestyZouma (@ZestyZouma) January 14, 2020
🤣🤣Christ!!
Got to love football.
An utterly grotesque business— Griff (@bolski91) January 14, 2020
USM Bramley-Moore oooo yes
— Owen Allen (@Owen1401) January 14, 2020
Usmanov supplying the goods
— Jordan (@jbell1878) January 14, 2020
This is £30 a year isn’t it?
— Doddy EFC (@tsdoddy) January 14, 2020
GoodUSM Park is happening 👊🏻🔥💙 #EFC
— Local Stuntman (@SCOA22) January 14, 2020
Well I think we can all agree that the stadium is definitely happening! 👍🏻😁
— Aide Dews (@AidyDews) January 14, 2020
All seems above board 👀
— Kevin Givnan (@KevinGivnan) January 14, 2020
— Harry Hesketh (@HashtagHarry__) January 14, 2020
In other Everton news, the club have reportedly made a formal bid to sign a 41-cap midfielder this month.