Spurs shop for sponsors in the Gulf

Tottenham Hotspur hold meetings with GCC-based investors to sell the naming rights for their proposed stadium.

DUBAI // Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premiership football club, have held meetings with GCC-based investors in an attempt to sell the naming rights for their proposed new 60,000-seater stadium, the club's executive director disclosed yesterday. Paul Barber, in Dubai for a sponsorship conference, told The National that the club, known as Spurs, were also interested in securing a new shirt sponsorship and would even "listen to potential takeover bids".

"We are starting the consultation phase for the building of the new 60,000-seat stadium, which will be close to White Hart Lane [the current stadium]. "We are here to discuss one of the critical elements of financing, which is to secure the naming rights of the stadium by talking with companies in the region." The meetings come as the UAE takes a growing stake in the English Premier League. Arsenal, Tottenham's traditional north London rivals, have their stadium and shirts sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Manchester City were bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment. Although not specifically looking for potential takeover bids, Mr Barber said: "Spurs are a public traded company... if we receive a decent approach we have an obligation to tell our shareholders and make them aware." Spurs will also look to establish a partnership with a UAE club, Mr Barber said. * The National