Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will sue the club for refusing to supply next season’s uniforms for sale through his Sports Direct network.
According to a claim filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Ashley plans to sue his former club for ‘abusing its dominant position in the market’ by failing to furnish 50,900 units of Newcastle products.
The order, mostly for jerseys for the 2024/25 season, totals £1.533 million, but the complainant claims Newcastle’s choice to sell the item only through JD Sports and their official outlets violates the Competition Act.
Newcastle has until March 28 to respond to the claim, with a hearing on April 9. The claim also seeks monetary damages.
The Magpies’ clothing suppliers will transition from Castore to Adidas next season, and Sports Direct expects their present agreement to continue.
However, the claim states that under a new deal, only Adidas, JD Sports, and Newcastle will be able to sell the 2024/25 strip.
The revelation adds to Ashley’s rocky association with Newcaslte, which he purchased in 2007 before selling to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2021.
Ashley was a deeply unpopular owner for the most of his time, with fans opposing his reign, alleging a lack of investment.
Despite surrendering ownership of the club in October 2021, which was widely celebrated, Ashley’s relationship with the present regime remains strained.
They have previously argued over a loan to support the takeover and the removal of Sports Direct signage from St. James’ Park.
