Newcastle-based bank Northern Rock has "ended its sponsorship deal" with EPL club Newcastle United, according to BBC.co.uk. The US$15.9M deal "was renewed in January last year and was due to last four years." It included a clause "allowing the bank to get out after two years, which it has now taken up." It is "understood the decision was made on financial grounds." Northern Rock indicated that the end of the sponsorship follows a "change in the way it spends money on marketing." The bank in the last few years has "ended its sponsorship deals with Durham County Cricket Club, basketball outfit Newcastle Eagles and rugby union side Newcastle Falcons." Newcastle Managing Dir Derek Llambias: "I need to find a new shirt sponsor by the end of December -- and that's the latest. Puma need to put the shirt sponsor on, they're manufacturing, and they would like it last month. I've got a very small window to sell the shirt and naming rights and, if I have to sell them separately, then I have to sell them separately." Meanwhile, the club indicated that changing the name of its home stadium to Sports Direct Arena "was a prelude to securing a new global sponsor which would generate more revenue" (BBC.co.uk, 11/11).
FROM SOCCER TO RACING: EPL club Queens Park Rangers' crest will be featured on F1 Team Lotus' race car for the remaining two races of the '11 season and beyond. Caterham branding will also soon be seen at QPR's Loftus Road stadium (THE DAILY).
