Spurs boss Redknapp can understand stadium naming rights push

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says the club's decision to sell the naming rights to their stadium was always inevitable.

Redknapp found out the news from Tottenham executive director Paul Barber on Friday lunchtime and admitted that it reflects the changing nature of football.

"The whole thing has changed – not just the stadiums but the owners as well," said Redknapp.

"Will there be an English owner in years to come of a football club? Whoever thought you would see the Arsenal stadium called the Emirates? It is a changing game and a changing world out there. Who knows where it is going to finish up?

"Who knows where these owners will eventually be taking us to play around the world? If they want to take you to China or Russia to play, you will have to play there. You could be out in Saudi Arabia or somewhere and that is how it is going.

"They own the clubs and will dictate who does what. I think the naming of the stadiums will be way down the list of what they are capable of doing and what is going to change.

"You have got American guys at Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool. You have got Saudis, Russians at Chelsea, and that is how it has gone.

"The naming rights are big revenues and the clubs have got to do it. It is big money and makes a massive difference. You can't say we have to turn down £150m just to keep calling it White Hart Lane."