Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Liverpool given grounds for hope at Stanley Park
iverpool are now concentrating their efforts on financing a new stadium in Stanley Park, where they have planning permission, rather than redevelop Anfield. American owners Fenway Sports Group had been keen to renovate the current ground like they did at their baseball franchise, the Boston Red Sox. But property and land acquisition difficulties and other environmental problems have made a refurbishment highly unlikely. Liverpool are in talks with companies for a naming rights deal to help fund a new 60,000- capacity ground. Grounds for concern: Liverpool's mooted move has been rumbling on More from Charles Sale. Charles Sale: Agents ready to fight salary cap05/01/12 Charles Sale: Video emerges of the day that race-row victim Evra used the n-word04/01/12 Charles Sale: iWant! Apple stalk TV deal for Premier League03/01/12 Charles Sale: United front hit by absent Fergie as Scot pulls out of SPOTY 23/12/11 Charles Sale: Pay cut for new England manager22/12/11 Charles Sale: Aussie goes home with 2012 secrets21/12/11 Charles Sale: Picture led books are the order of the day at Old Trafford 20/12/11 Charles Sale: Hunt goes on for new Olympic Stadium filler19/12/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Liverpool council, who favour the move to Stanley Park to spark a re-generation of the area, have been pressing for a definitive decision to end the long uncertainty for local residents. The fall-out from Liverpool's inept handling of the Luis Suarez racism and the damage it might do to the club's reputation won't help discussions with potential sponsors. So Liverpool are lucky their kit sponsors Standard Chartered Bank, who have a big presence in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, have been supportive throughout the controversy and even want to be involved in the naming rights talks. Hill start for FA The FA finally signing a ?1.7million-a-year deal with bookmakers William Hill through to 2014 as England and FA Cup partners makes for a crowded betting market at Wembley. Not only do Betfred have the venue gambling rights but the current Ladbrokes TV campaign featuring Chris Kamara was filmed at the stadium - much to the bemusement of parent company the FA, who were not informed about the commercial. The three-year search for an FA betting partner was made complicated by past sensitivities around England players gambling and the initial over-ambitious ?5m-a-year asking price. But the Football League will need to find a new betting sponsor as Coral are not expected to renew their contract. Bat's your lotThe sponsorship nightmare for Slazenger, who found Michael Clarke's bat stripped of their logos duringhis 329 not out against India, arose because a new deal for 2012 couldn't be agreed with the Australian captain. Clarke wanted a big hike in earnings and Slazenger carrying more of his endorsed merchandise.