SPFL names Ladbrokes as sponsor in ₤ 4m deal

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

The two-year deal, believed to be worth a little over ₤ 4m, includes rights across all 4 leagues and 42 clubs.

While it did not expose any figures, Ladbrokes stated the yohaig code offer was the biggest of its kind in Scottish football.

The SPFL has been without a sponsor considering that 2013 when the league was reorganized.

The Clydesdale Bank sponsored the Scottish Premier League till its agreement expired 2 years earlier, choosing not to restore the ₤ 2m-per-year offer.

Funds from that were split in between 12 clubs.

The new offer will lead to the Scotland's leagues end up being referred to as the Ladbrokes Premiership, Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2 at the start of the new season in August.

An "absolutely thrilled" SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster informed BBC Scotland: "It is the biggest single ever title sponsorship bet9ja's welcome offer of this promotion code nature in Scotland in 125 years of the Scottish Football League.

"So it's extremely substantial, I think, financially.

"It's an offer throughout the entire of the SPFL - the first bet9ja's welcome offer of its kind - and all 42 clubs will benefit through the ladder mechanism set out in the guidelines.

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

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

Next season's Premiership champions will receive an extra ₤ 268,000 as a result, with the Championship winners getting ₤ 45,000 more.

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

"As much of a financial difference, there is a pride concern here," stated Doncaster.

"To have a league sponsored with a company like Ladbrokes - a hugely appreciated blue-chip UK company - who wish to sit together with you and develop the game in Scotland is hugely considerable also.

"All of it matters and, if you speak with specific clubs then I presume they'll see it somewhat various methods.

"But, from our point of view, it's an offer that benefits all 42 clubs and includes to the eminence of the league overall."

Doncaster knew that the SPFL had received some criticism for the years without a title sponsor.

"It has actually not been the simplest time to go out and sell a title sponsorship," he stated.

"We are well conscious of a few of the financial issues that have actually impacted some of our member clubs over that duration.

"But the truth is that we have had a number of huge brands who desired to partner with us.

"We have had different offers over the duration that we have actually rejected, however the clubs' stance, which we believe has actually been vindicated, was they wished to wait for the ideal brand at the best cash."

Ladbrokes president Jim Mullen included: "We enjoy football so we are pleased to be dealing with the SPFL on among the best chances in British sport."

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