The Football League..

[ChrisC]

Has a new sponsor. From next season onwards (for the next 5 years at least) it will be The Sky Bet Championship / League 1/2 etc..

The Football League has agreed a new multi-year deal for Sky Bet to become their new title sponsor.

From next season, the League's flagship competition will be titled 'the Sky Bet Football League', with its three divisions being becoming 'The Sky Bet Championship', 'Sky Bet League One' and 'Sky Bet League Two'.

In a separate agreement, also announced today, The Football League and Sky Sports have signed a brand new three-year broadcasting rights agreement.

The new agreement, which delivers more live matches for fans, will begin in 2015/16 following the conclusion of the final two seasons of the current three-year agreement.


"This is a ground-breaking partnership for Sky Bet. As title sponsor, we are relishing the opportunity to enhance the football experience for Football League fans through our range of league specific markets and price boosts."
Richard Flint


Sky Bet are currently the UK's fourth largest online bookmaker and the fastest-growing.

In addition to title sponsorship of the three leagues, Sky will also use its partnership with the Football League to explore opportunities to support grassroots football.

They will also offer customers exclusive competitions and promotional offers, including access to Football League match tickets.

Sky Bet's managing director Richard Flint said: "The sponsorship of the Football League helps us engage with millions of football fans spanning all 72 League clubs.

"It was important for us that we are able to demonstrate our commitment to all Football League clubs and fans nationwide, starting with our trading team going top price on all Football League teams to win their respective league.


"I am delighted to welcome Sky Bet to working with The Football League and its clubs. This agreement takes our long-term partnership with Sky to a new level and provides a genuine boost to clubs ahead of the new season."
Greg Clarke


"The strength of our technology supported by a trusted brand that is part of the fabric of football means we're ideally placed to add to the match-day experience of fans.

"This is a ground-breaking partnership for Sky Bet. As title sponsor, we are relishing the opportunity to enhance the football experience for Football League fans through our range of league specific markets and price boosts.

"In the past, fans would go into a betting shop on the way to the ground but with our industry leading mobile app and website, they can place their bets quickly and conveniently whether they are going to the match or watching it on Sky at home."

Football League chairman Greg Clarke added: "I am delighted to welcome Sky Bet to working with The Football League and its clubs. This agreement takes our long-term partnership with Sky to a new level and provides a genuine boost to clubs ahead of the new season."

[Bruce Rioja]

Is that really any better than Quick Quid and their ilk getting involved? I mean, what actually is and isn't acceptable in terms of sponsorship and advertising? I never really understood the ban on tobacco advertising.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

It's apparently usually alright as long as you have a tiny little URL somewhere saying "gambleaware.com" or "drinkaware.cock" or "pleasedontusegunstoshootupschools.org"

I can see there's a difference between betting and payday loans, but they're certainly on a distasteful spectrum.

[Prufrock]

More importantly, does that mean no more Football League Show unless I start giving money to Rupert?

[Lord Kangana]

I tend to find the marketing bullshit they use to be the most depressing and/or faintly patronising aspect of "title sponsorship" (do you also find yourself shouting "oh just f*ck off" when you read that?).

They wish to enhance my football experience? Do they really? Really? Or just make money? Tw*ts.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

LK: aye, and it's even more annoying to think that somebody gets a good wage to write that shite.

Prufrock, as far as I'm aware there's still two more years on the BBC's highlights deal:
http://www.football-league.co.uk/footba ... 34_2777643" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[HMX]

At least we can listen out for a new entry in Coyle's bingo.