SPFL Names Ladbrokes as Sponsor In ₤ 4m Deal

SPFL names Ladbrokes as sponsor in ₤ 4m deal


The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has revealed that wagering company Ladbrokes will be its primary sponsor from next season.


The two-year deal, thought to be worth a little over ₤ 4m, consists of rights across all four leagues and 42 clubs.


While it did not expose any figures, Ladbrokes said the offer was the most significant of its kind in Scottish football.


The SPFL has been without a sponsor because 2013 when the league was restructured.


The Clydesdale Bank sponsored the Scottish Premier League up until its contract ended two years back, choosing not to restore the ₤ 2m-per-year deal.


Funds from that were divided in between 12 clubs.


The new deal will result in the Scotland's leagues become called the Ladbrokes Premiership, Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2 at the start of the brand-new season in August.


An "definitely thrilled" SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster informed BBC Scotland: "It is the greatest single ever title sponsorship deal of this nature in Scotland in 125 years of the Scottish Football League.


"So it's hugely significant, I believe, financially.


"It's an offer across the entire of the SPFL - the first offer of its kind - and all 42 clubs will benefit through the ladder system set out in the rules.


"On all those levels, I think it's terrific news for all clubs in Scotland."


The new deal takes the overall SPFL prize-money fund to ₤ 20m.


Next season's Premiership champs will receive an extra ₤ 268,000 as an outcome, with the Championship winners receiving ₤ 45,000 more.


At the bottom end of the scale, the group ending up bottom of League Two will make their club an extra ₤ 3,600.


"As much of a monetary distinction, there is a pride issue here," stated Doncaster.