TNT SPORTS have risked the wrath of Newcastle fans by calling their St James’ Park home by its hated former name.
The Toon are set to host Paris Saint-Germain in a huge Champions League clash this evening.
TNT Sports bizarrely listed the game as taking place at the Sports Direct Arena
GettySt James’ Park is set to host Paris Saint-Germain this evening[/caption]
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports, which is carried by Discovery+.
On the app, the game is bizarrely claimed to be taking place at Sports Direct Arena.
In November 2011, unpopular former owner Mike Ashley took the bold step of renaming St James’ Park after his Sports Direct company.
The move infuriated Toon fans, who rallied against it for the next 11 months.
In October 2012 payday lender Wonga agreed a deal to become the club’s primary commercial sponsor.
The sponsorship package included the stadium naming rights.
And rather than calling it the Wonga Stadium, they opted to restore the name back to St James’ Park.
Upon the club’s Saudi takeover in 2021, Newcastle’s new owners decided to get rid of all Sports Direct branding that still adorned the stadium.
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Many fans noticed TNT Sports’ gaff, with one tweeting: “Is it just me that shudders when the TNT app on Amazon lists the game tonight being played at “The Sports Direct Arena” #NUFC someone sort it please!”
A second blasted: “@tntsports Wash your mouth out! You can’t be calling our ‘Cathedral on the Hill’ the ‘sports direct arena’ on the biggest night of football our club has had in 20 years. You’ll have a Geordie revolution on your hands.”
And a third fumed: “Someone needs to do a hell of a lot of explaining…”
Current Newcastle sponsors Sela staged a stunning drone show over St James’ Park on the eve of tonight’s game.
During the eight minute display, Newcastle magpie mascot flew across the sky showcasing the shirts of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
St James’ Park was briefly renamed the Sports Direct Arena in 2011Getty Images – Getty