18 May 2019 21:25:15
Heard from a good source today that Usmanov is unofficially involved with the investment regarding the new stadium which will be called The Gazprom Arena in a massive naming rights deal. Usmanov was a director of Gazprom but not anymore. If this is true it is this kind of business the club has been missing for years. This will give us a massive spending boost to get around the financial fair play rules which a lot of people forget about especially if we can push on over next few years this will give us the push into the top 4.
18 May 2019 21:58:18
So our new stadium won't be unique as Zenit St. Petersburg already play in a Gazprom Arena. As for Usmanov been unofficially involved, how will that work? Surely FFP rules will come into play. Look at what's happening to Man City and their alleged breaking of FFP rules.
18 May 2019 22:27:58
Donn - He used to be a director until 2014 but isn’t anymore if he influences his “mate” to sponsor the stadium there’s nothing wrong with that. With USM sponsoring the training ground it and also a different shirt sponsor this spreads out sponsorship over several companies not mainly one like city and Etihad which is owned by the same people. That’s where city have slipped up as they have paid £60+ million into bank from the owners account and not from Etihads account which shows its him personally funding both using Etihad as a front basically which although we all know already but is officially not allowed.
Why will naming the ground Gazprom effect the design etc not being unique. The stadium can still be brilliant, unique everything we want it to be and be called Gazprom Arena people aren’t going to say what a stadium would be the best if it wasn’t called Gazprom?
18 May 2019 22:35:55
Donn - Unless Usmanov was officially involved at Everton it doesn’t even matter if he sponsored Everton 100% as he’s not involved and has sold Arsenal shares also.
18 May 2019 23:08:02
Well personally I would not want our stadium having the same name as another. Now I go back to the unofficial part. All sponsorship has to be official and above board. If Usmanov wants to be generous that's fair enough. It's just the "unofficial" part that worrys me.
18 May 2019 23:44:37
I just meant we all know his relationship with Moshiri and many have expected him to invest in Everton after he sold his Arsenal shares although that’s not materialised. yet. I may have possibly used the wrong word “unofficially” it does sound underhand as there is nothing wrong with getting your wealthy friends to sponsor or invest in your club. Which is what seems to be happening with Everton at the moment and is good to see as we have been miles away with our sponsorship and kit deals.
18 May 2019 23:49:54
Donn - Regarding the naming rights whoever offers the most money is surely what counts. There is not many big enough companies who will be able to afford what we should want as it will be a prime stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront. Gazprom are one of those who are involved in sports and football.
19 May 2019 14:25:30
Call it whatever you want as long as its built. Cant see usmanov getting involved tho. Why would he give us loads ov money just to name the stadium when he could buy shares in us if he wanted to be involved with everton.
19 May 2019 14:37:59
I think in regards to big sponsorship deals like staduim naming rights etc, the ooky deals are spotted when the club are asked eho the other bids were from, I think City were rumbled on something like that a few years ago, let's face it though everyone in Uefa and European football knows that City have been bankrolled by a sugar daddy, its probably wrong. but we would all love it to be Everton.
20 May 2019 19:32:02
So if you don’t want Gazprom Arena as it’s used elsewhere just call it the Gazprom Stadium job done.
20 May 2019 23:18:51
The reason why Usmanov hasn't invested in Everton or any other EPL club is the poor diplomatic relations between Russia and UK. Must of heard Abramavitch has now using Israeli passport to enter UK, once this improves including energy deals he will invest.
{Ed025's Note - im not a big lossl fan to be honest bretto, and mitrovic is a good player but has an attitude that holds him back mate..