SPFL seek new title sponsor as cinch activate early exit clause in wake of Rangers dispute

The Scottish Professional Football League is looking for a new title sponsor from next season onwards after cinch pulled the plug on its current deal.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has thanked cinch for its sponsorship after the online car company decided to end its contract early. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The online car company signed a five-year contract with the SPFL in 2021, said to be worth about £1.6million a year, which gave them the option to exit after three seasons. cinch have decided to excercise that clause and will cease its association with Scottish football two years early at the end of the current campaign.

The decision follows a major confrontation involving Rangers which saw the Ibrox club argue that the SPFL contract with cinch had compromised their own pre-existing arrangement with coach firm Park’s of Hamilton – owned by former chairman Douglas Park.

Rangers refused to display the cinch branding around their stadium or conduct media interviews in front of the cinch logo. The matter went to court and the deal was revised last year to proclude Rangers from any obligation to display cinch advertising.

The dispute ended in July this year with Rangers securing an apology from the SPFL and a contribution towards its legal costs.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “cinch has been an excellent sponsor for the SPFL and has been clear on the significant boost to its brand awareness from our partnership. We will, of course, ensure that cinch continues to enjoy the many benefits of its sponsorship of the cinch SPFL for the rest of what promises to be a hugely exciting league campaign.

“The passion, drama and excitement of the SPFL has played a leading role in driving cinch’s considerable brand growth in Scotland and across the rest of the UK. Working closely with Scottish Football Marketing, we will now begin the process of securing a new title sponsor for next season and beyond, and anticipate strong interest from businesses which recognise the unique value of partnering with Scotland’s premier football competition.”

The SPFL later announced that interim fee payments to all clubs would increase by 10 per cent from next season.

Each Premiership club will receive at least £950,000 in central payments by April 2024 and the figure will rise to £1.045million the following year. Further payments are made dependent on final league positions.

Doncaster said: “We are delighted that the continuing commercial success of the SPFL, including the broadcast contract extensions signed with Sky Sports, BBC Scotland, and Infront last year, has enabled us to increase interim fee payments to all 42 SPFL clubs.

“The SPFL continues to go from strength to strength, with further growth expected over the next few seasons.”