New owner is planning investment on and off the field as anticipation grows in sports-mad region
Newcastle Falcons already had wings, but after their purchase by Red Bull a club that have long been in freefall should once again take flight.
Within 24 hours of the takeover completing on Tuesday, the rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls had already sold more season-tickets than for the whole of last season, with Wednesday’s sales figure the highest for a single day in the club’s 29-year professional history.
“It’s amazing for the sport and for Newcastle,” says the former Falcons winger and England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips. “With Red Bull’s backing Newcastle can become the best known rugby team in the world.”
Red Bull’s impact may have been almost immediate, but getting to this point has taken considerable time. A source at the company described this week’s announcement as the culmination of a two-year journey into rugby.
