Newcastle have spoken to former Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson as they close in on the appointment of a new CEO.
Mail Sport can reveal that the 54-year-old Canadian is in the frame to replace the outgoing Darren Eales, who is stepping down on health grounds.
PIF governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is set to make the final decision, with sources recognising the need for an imminent announcement.
The club are currently operating with both an outgoing chief executive and sporting director, following news last week of Paul Mitchell’s impending exit after less than a year at St James’ Park. This uncertainty at senior level is seen by some as far from ideal entering a pivotal summer.
Eddie Howe and his players have secured Champions League football ahead of next season and the head coach has reiterated internally the need for speed when it comes to transfers. It now seems likely that Howe and head of recruitment Steve Nickson will oversee the bulk of the dealings.
But we understand that Hopkinson, who was most recently the president and chief operating officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation, is the leading candidate for the role soon to be vacated by Eales, who announced in September he would be leaving following the diagnosis of a chronic form of blood cancer.
Newcastle have held talks with ex-Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson in their search for a new CEO
Darren Eales will step down from the role after announcing he was suffering with cancer
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan will make the decision on the appointment, with Hopkinson among the leading contenders for the role
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He has been interviewed by PIF and is thought to be the preferred choice, should he agree terms.
Hopkinson has previously worked as Real Madrid’s global head of partnerships and, for 23 years, was chief commercial officer for the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Partnership, which included MLS franchise Toronto FC. He is currently serving as a board member for Canada Basketball.
Interestingly, he has vast experience in venue management, with Newcastle set to update fans on their plans for the club’s future home stadium. Mail Sport revealed in March that the intention is to move to a new home on Leazes Park.
Hopkinson says of his Madison Square Garden role that he, ‘guided the strategic vision and operations of premier global sports franchises including the New York Knicks and New York Rangers’.
The Toronto native added: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Newcastle are using recruitment firm Nolan Partners to search for a new sporting director. They were previously hired before the appointment of Dan Ashworth in 2022.
Newcastle declined to comment on Hopkinson and the chief executive role.