Multiple big-name Newcastle stars ‘have not been paid their image rights by the club’ – while agents ‘have been waiting three MONTHS for fees’

Newcastle are reportedly trying to rectify an issue which has seen several prominent stars waiting on their image rights payments. 

Moreover, several player agents have reportedly been waiting for three months for commission instalments by the club. 

The Magpies insist their deposits have been paid or are on the way to the players and their representatives, according to a report by The Athletic. 

Such delays are said to be due to processing problems among the club’s owners rather than a lack of finances.

Players have still been paid their regular wages and the club say they have taken steps to solve the image rights complication. 

A footballers’ image rights are often a bundle which include the players’ name, nicknames, likeness, voice, and other personal characteristics. 

The agents of several players ahev also waited a reported three months for commission fees

It represents an unfortunate episode for Newcastle, who are 85 per cent owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and 15 per cent belonging to RB Sports & Media.

They are enduring another turbulent season, sitting 12th in the Premier League under Eddie Howe and battling to stay in lines with Profit & Sustainability Regulations.

There have been lots of highs this campaign – wins over Arsenal and Tottenham, alongside draws with Manchester City and Liverpool, have shown their ability to compete with the ‘Big Six’. 

They are also through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, having dispatched Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Brentford to reach the last four.  

But Howe admits that PSR and Associated Party Transaction restrictions, which relate to sponsorship, have affected their progression on the pitch. 

‘I’d say (financial rules) have had a dramatic effect on the speed of the journey,’ said Howe. ‘I can’t deny that (speed) has dramatically changed due to the rules and you can feel that change, especially as everyone has got to grips with PSR and the actual reality of it. 

‘The punishments became very real. There is nothing more sobering than the thought of a points deduction in terms of changing what you have to do to comply. That will affect our ability to change things as quickly as possible from a view of winning trophies.’

Howe added: ‘But I don’t think a lowering of expectations has happened internally. There hasn’t been one moment where we’ve gone, “We can’t do this or we can’t achieve that”. 

Eddie Howe has helped Newcastle into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup but they are 12th in the Premier League

‘Your players will soon pick up if you’re not ambitious. I always like to think the impossible is possible, especially with my players. I push them to believe we can achieve anything. 

‘In saying that, there has to be some kind of realistic expectation externally, because the external expectation will harm us internally. 

‘The external view from media and everyone alike has to be moulded around our reality. Our reality has been very different in the last two transfer windows.’

Howe took Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final in 2023 only to be beaten by Manchester United, and no manager since the club’s FA Cup final win in 1955 has led the team to two domestic semi-finals. 

Mail Sport has contacted Newcastle United for comment.