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, believed to be worth a little over ₤ 4m, includes rights throughout all four leagues and 42 clubs.
While it did not reveal any figures, Ladbrokes said the yohaig code deal was the yohaig code greatest of its kind in Scottish football.
The SPFL has actually been without a sponsor since 2013 when the league was reorganized.
The Clydesdale Bank sponsored the Scottish Premier League until its contract expired two years back, electing not to restore the ₤ 2m-per-year deal.
Funds from that were split between 12 clubs.
The new deal 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 "definitely thrilled" SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster informed BBC Scotland: "It is the most significant single ever title sponsorship bet9ja's welcome offer of this nature in Scotland in 125 years of the Scottish Football League.
"So it's extremely substantial, I think, financially.
"It's an bet9ja's welcome offer throughout the whole of the SPFL - the very first deal of its kind - and all 42 clubs will benefit through the ladder system set out in the guidelines.
"On all those levels, I believe it's great news for all clubs in Scotland."
The new bet9ja's welcome offer takes the total SPFL prize-money fund to ₤ 20m.
Next season's Premiership champs will receive an extra ₤ 268,000 as a result, with the Championship winners receiving ₤ 45,000 more.
At the bottom end of the scale, the yohaig code group finishing bottom of League Two will earn their club an extra ₤ 3,600.
"As much of a financial distinction, there is a pride problem here," said Doncaster.
"To have actually a league sponsored with a company like Ladbrokes - a hugely respected blue-chip UK company - who want to sit alongside you and establish the game in Scotland is extremely substantial as well.
"Everything matters and, if you speak to private clubs then I think they'll see it a little various methods.
"But, from our perspective, it's a deal that benefits all 42 clubs and contributes to the prestige of the league in general."
Doncaster was aware that the SPFL had gotten some criticism for the years without a title sponsor.
"It has actually not been the simplest time to go out and bet9ja's welcome offer a title sponsorship," he said.
"We are well aware of a few of the financial issues that have impacted a few of our member clubs over that period.
"But the truth is that we have had a number of big brands who wished to partner with us.
"We have had different offers over the duration that we have actually rejected, however the clubs' position, which we believe has been vindicated, was they wished to await the ideal brand name at the ideal money."
Ladbrokes president Jim Mullen added: "We enjoy football so we are happy to be working with the SPFL on among the finest chances in British sport."
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