Big changes have been on the way at Newcastle United for some time, and today marks the first day of serious change after a turbulent 2025 off the pitch.
Darren Eales announced his planned leave last October as he battles blood cancer – our best wishes go out to Darren at this tough time – and sporting director Paul Mitchell confirmed his shock exit plans in May, leaving Newcastle without two key club officials for the majority of a tough summer.
However, today, it’s believed Newcastle will finally announce the appointment of David Hopkinson as the club’s new CEO, confirming Darren Eales’ departure in the process.
Hopkinson has been PIF’s number one choice for some time following a thorough interview process, and Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson is expected to follow as our new sporting director, with the Scot seeing our a period of leave.
But who is David Hopkinson, why has he been appointed and what will he bring?
The 54-year-old was most recently the president and chief operating officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation and was Real Madrid’s global head of partnerships.
He is currently serving as a board member for Canada Basketball and also boasts experience in venue management following his Madison Square Garden role, allowing him to support the club’s plans over a potential new stadium.
Hopkinson has previously discussed his experience in this field, saying: “Throughout my 25+ year career, I’ve had the privilege of stewarding some of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment brands through periods of significant growth and evolution.
“At MSG Sports, I directed comprehensive business strategy across legendary venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the revolutionary Sphere in Las Vegas.
“Previously at Real Madrid, I led global partnerships for the world’s most valuable football club, engaging with a 1B+ global fanbase.
“At MLSE, I spearheaded transformative initiatives including the landmark Scotiabank Arena naming rights agreement ($800M+ CDN), while overseeing multiple professional sports franchises.”