SPFL title sponsorship demands revealed

The Scottish Professional Football League is seeking a naming rights sponsorship for its four professional divisions worth £1.75m (€2.2m/$2.7m) per season, according to leaked emails seen by the Press Association Sport news agency.

Since it was formed by a merger between the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League last June the SPFL has operated without a main sponsor.

Last week, mobile gaming brand Fruity King claimed to be in talks with the league and the leaked emails appear to show the SPFL’s head of partnerships Keith Campbell outlining the financial demands sought.

An email sent from Campbell’s account on December 16 said: "The fee for the title sponsorship of the four Scottish leagues is £1.75m, though this is subject to an agreed rights package."

Sources familiar with the SPFL believe the leaked email is part of a wider publicity stunt and a league spokesman told STV Sport: “Talks are live with a number of brands regarding title sponsorship of the SPFL and these discussions will continue in the new year.”

Last month, industrial company QTS secured the presenting partner rights for the semi-final and final of this season’s Scottish League Cup.

According to STV, the SPL’s final naming rights deal with Clydesdale Bank was worth around £2m per season and expired at the time of the merger, along with the SFL’s partnership with soft drinks brand Irn-Bru.

The SPFL’s failure to secure a title sponsor over the past 18 months has been widely criticised.