Premier League clubs, trio linked to betting firms as headline sponsors
Scoop: Here's the dirt on the latest sponsorship deals that are causing a stir in the Premier League, and let me tell you, these ain't your average partnerships!
First off, Crystal Palace FC has struck a record-breaking deal with Net88, a bookmaker whose logo will grace both the team's match kits and training gear. Impressive, huh?
Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) isn't far behind with their new gaming sponsor, Debet. These guys call their deal 'historic', and who are we to argue? They're thrilled about slapping their logo on the Wolves' jerseys and stadium.
Meanwhile, back in April, Aston Villa sealed a deal with betting company Betano for title sponsorship. Not bad, eh?
Now, you might be thinking, 'Aren't they phasing out gambling logos on shirts by the end of the 2025-2026 season?' Well, despite the trend, these sponsorships remain popular. Crazy, right? Each of the top ten teams in UEFA's ranking has a betting partner!
But here's the kicker. In Ukraine, they're trying to shut down this opportunity. Remember that, on the first reading, bill 9256-d passed, which prohibits gambling companies from being sponsors. Go figure!
Now, why are these gambling ties still going strong? Well, for starters, they're lucrative, bringing in an estimated £60 million per year for eight Premier League clubs currently displaying these logos on their shirts. Plus, existing regulations still allow clubs to secure new deals until the ban is enforced. So, teams can continue profiting from these partnerships until the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Even after the front-of-shirt ban takes effect, gambling sponsors can still be promoted through other channels. Think sleeve sponsorships or LED advertising during matches.
Legislative changes or industry-led reforms are unlikely in the short term, but public opinion and regulatory pressures are shifting. Essentially, sponsoring remains subject to Gambling Commission regulations, but significant changes require legal updates or strong industry advocacy.
Finally, historically, many Premier League clubs have had productive financial relationships with gambling sponsors, contributing to their ability to maintain a strong market presence. Although the landscape is changing, these partnerships remain relatively common due to their historical integration.
So, you see, despite the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill's attempt to phase out gambling logos from shirts, these companies are still proving to be attractive sponsors for top soccer teams for several reasons. Here's to the future of these controversial deals!
- European-leagues and football teams continue to attract interest from finance and business sectors, with betting companies like Net88, Debet, and Betano investing significant sums into Premier League clubs, such as Crystal Palace FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Aston Villa.
- As gaming sponsorships remain a valuable source of revenue for these clubs, with estimated yearly profits of £60 million for eight Premier League teams, soccer organizations can expect continued partnerships even after the front-of-shirt ban takes effect.
- Despite mounting regulatory pressure and ongoing discussions surrounding tighter restrictions, historical financial relationships between gambling sponsors and Premier League clubs have allowed these companies to maintain a strong presence in the sports industry, resulting in a significant number of top teams retaining betting partners.
