Desai could rename Rovers´ stadium to boost cash

Blackburn’s prospective new Indian owner has admitted that the club’s Ewood Park stadium could be renamed to raise funds.

Anuradha Desai, chairperson of Venky’s — the Indian poultry and pharmaceutical firm on the verge of buying the English Premier League club — is considering marketing plans to increase revenue streams.

She revealed on Thursday that one of the options to bring new cash into the club would be allowing sponsorship of the stadium, but was quick to insist Venky’s would respect Blackburn’s traditions.

“We will do the best by the fans and also by the club and it is very important to continue the traditions of the club,” Desai told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“We are going to be good responsible owners and we want to make the club stronger.

“There are a lot of marketing plans but nothing is certain yet. One of the things we are considering is sponsorship of Ewood Park but no decision has been made.”

It had been reported that Venky’s would only invest five million pounds (7.9 million dollars) in new players, but Desai insists that is only an initial figure, with more to follow.

Venky’s already have a long-term plan in place to make the 1995 Premier League winners more competitive.

“Initially there will be five million pounds (7.9 million dollars) put in, straightaway, to buy players but of course if we have to do more, then we will,” she said.

“There will then be much more investment and we have devised a spending strategy already for the next three years that will see the manager given significant funds to buy players.

“I am not promising that we will be a top-four team but I can promise that we will try and that is what we will aim for.

“We are committed to improving the performance of the team and when the situation is right, there will be investment.

“There will be much, much more than five million pounds and we want the fans to know that.

“We are trying to complete the deal as fast as possible because we are very excited about the prospect of owning a Premier League club.”