Scottish football leagues to be sponsored by Ladbrokes from next season
Wednesday 13 May 2015 16:28, UK
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has announced a two-year sponsorship deal with betting firm Ladbrokes that will span across all 42 clubs in all four leagues.
The SPFL said the deal is the biggest of its kind in Scottish football and will see the leagues become known as the Ladbrokes Premiership, Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2 ahead of the start of the new season in August.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ladbrokes to the SPFL’s growing family of key sponsors and partners and look forward to working with them from season 2015/16 at this truly exciting time for Scottish football.
"As an established and respected leading brand in its very competitive marketplace, Ladbrokes is a perfect partner for the SPFL and we have a shared vision of a positive future for professional league football in Scotland.
"Ladbrokes’ backing of Scottish football is hugely valued and appreciated and I say that not only on behalf of the SPFL but also for all 42 member clubs.
"Today’s announcement is the result of significant investment of energy and effort and further strengthens our optimism about the future health of the game in Scotland.
"With all that positivity comes an opportunity to tell the story of a modern, engaging and exciting Scottish football environment and we look forward to doing just that with all our partners including new title sponsor Ladbrokes."
It is two years since there was a headline sponsor for Scotland's top league.
Doncaster told Sky Sports News HQ: "The clubs were absolutely keen to hold out for the right brand, the right company, the right deal and the right money.
"This will help drive more money into the game in Scotland and will inevitably increase the calibre of player we have here."
Ladbrokes has more than 2,100 shops across the UK and has recently sponsored rugby league’s Challenge Cup, extended its backing of horse racing’s St Leger Festival at Doncaster and continues to sponsor The Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Ladbrokes chief executive Jim Mullen added: “We love football so we are delighted to be working with the SPFL on one of the best opportunities in British sport.
“This partnership will help to propel Ladbrokes and the SPFL to new heights and will put us at the heart of Scottish football throughout the year. Getting people engaged with great sport and making sure they share our passion is at the very core of everything we are about.
“Our customers support clubs at every level of Scottish football from the professional leagues that we sponsor to the local Sunday League stalwarts. The Scottish game deserves a committed supporter and our financial backing will help to ensure every level of the game benefits from Ladbrokes' involvement."
