The use of LED signage has been a key part of advertising and information provision at football stadiums in recent years – and it may get a lot of focus at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Anyone not living in a cave will be aware that Newcastle United has just been taken over in a £300 million deal that involves control of the club passing from Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Newcastle fans have been jubilant at the end of the hated Ashley era, which has seen two relegations and limited investment, while the PIF investment has left many dreaming of the club being bankrolled to success in a similar manner to Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, the terms of the deal mean the Sports Direct signage will not be torn down just yet and will be visible for the first home game under the new regime.

This will soon change though, with PIF having the opportunity to invest in the stadium facilities as well as the team. That means not just the advertising and livery, but potentially new signage to provide more advertising opportunities that extend beyond companies also owned by the club bosses.

Some accusations have been made that PIF is too close to the Saudi state, which is accused of human rights abuses, and that taking over a football club is a form of ‘sportwashing’ that is designed to portray certain states in a better light. This accusation has previously been aimed at Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners and the Qataris who own Paris Saint-Germain.

However, any new signage taking the place of the old Sports Direct signs will not just offer PR opportunities, but a chance for the owners to generate some excitement by highlighting new developments at the club as it enters a brave new world.