With Dan Friedkin’s takeover, Everton can now turn their attention fully to Premier League survival and the transition to life at Bramley Moore Dock.
Everton’s last season at Goodison Park, their home since 1892, did not get off to the best start, with Sean Dyche‘s side losing their opening four Premier League games.
But four points from their last two, including Saturday’s Dwight McNeil-inspired victory over Crystal Palace has instilled some optimism on the blue half of Merseyside.
It may be coincidence that green shoots have started to appear almost as soon as Friedkin‘s bid to buy Everton was accepted by Farhad Moshiri, but fans will hope it is a sign of things to come under his watch.
Most significantly, Friedkin has substantially reduced Everton’s debt burden and appears now to have committed funds to kit out Bramley Moore Dock.
Goodison Park currently generates around £1m per matchday, which is among the lowest returns in the Premier League on a per capita basis.
Bramley Moore Dock is expected to at least double that figure, but the benefits are commercial and strategic as much as they are about cash generate through the turnstiles.
The stadium’s naming rights are perhaps its most valuable property after ticket sales, and there are several companies who could be in the running on that front.
Qatar Airways have just struck a huge new deal to sponsor the Champions League for the next five years and continue to make moves in the football sponsorship world.
Under Moshiri, Everton have held talks with Qatar Airways over a potential naming rights deal.
Given the associations with Qatari state and allegations of sportswashing, this one might be greeted with some reservations among Everton supporters.
But with Everton optimistic of sealing a £15m-a-year deal and with CEO Colin Chong saying that any relationship will be at least 10 years long, the prospect of £150m might be too good to turn down.
