Betfred sign League Cup sponsorship extension

Betfred have renewed their sponsorship of the Scottish League Cup until 2020 and hailed the current format of the tournament as a “tremendous success”.

In a boost for the Scottish Professional Football League, who were subjected to widespread criticism for their management of the scheduling of the forthcoming semi-finals of this season’s Betfred Cup, an extension of their deal with the bookmakers has been secured on improved financial terms.

Betfred initially signed a three-year contract to back the League Cup in 2016 in a move which saw the competition restructured, kicking off the season with a group stage and leading to holding the final before the turn of the year.

The SPFL paid out record prize money of around £1.6 million to the participating clubs last season, including £250,000 to winners Celtic, with an additional £500,000 received from the tournament’s exclusive television contract with BT Sport.

This year’s semi-final ties take place on Sunday, when holders Celtic face Hearts at Murrayfield, while Hampden hosts the clash between Aberdeen andrangers.thespflhad initially announced they would play both games at Hampden on the same day, a plan which prompted an angry reaction and was later scrapped.

But the issue did nothing to diminish Betfred’s enthusiasm for the tournament as they confirm they will continue to back it for at least one more season after this one.

“I feel that the revamped Betfred Cup has been a tremendous success and I had no hesitation in agreeing an extension to the current deal,” said Betfred’s co-owner and chairman Fred Done.

The Betfred deal was announced by the SPFL at a general meeting of clubs at Hampden yesterday and means the organisation has now tied up both of its main sponsors until 2020. Earlier this year, Ladbrokes renewed their contract as title sponsor of all four SPFL divisions for another two seasons.