The Scottish Professional Football League has agreed a title sponsorship deal with betting company Ladbrokes.
Ladbrokes’ sponsorship of the SPFL is for two years, spanning the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, and is for the league’s four divisions and 42 clubs.
Financial terms were not disclosed for the partnership, although the SPFL has claimed it as “the biggest ever of its kind in Scottish football”.
Scotland’s professional football divisions will now be known as the Ladbrokes Premiership, Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League 1 and Ladbrokes League 2.
“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,” SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said. “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.”
Ladbrokes chief executive Jim Mullen added: “The Scottish game deserves a committed supporter and our financial backing will help to ensure every level of the game benefits from Ladbrokes' involvement.”
The SPFL had come in for criticism for failing to secure a replacement title sponsor since Clydesdale Bank’s contract expired in 2013.