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Coca-Cola to sponsor Football League
Coca-Cola have agreed to become sponsors of the Football League in the biggest deal in the competition's history.
The new three-year deal begins next season and sees the end of Nationwide's long-standing involvement with domestic football.
From August, the 72 clubs under the Premiership will play in the Coca-Cola League.
The previous deal was worth a reported £4million-a-year to league coffers and this new agreement should mean a bigger handout for each of the member clubs, a large percentage of whom have been struggling since the collapse of the ITV Digital television deal.
'This new agreement is good news, it provides a tremendous boost for league clubs and, on their behalf, it is a great pleasure to welcome Coca-Cola to this partnership,' said Football League chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney.
'I am grateful for their support. For our part we will ensure that we continue to deliver a quality product.
'Attracting a brand of the stature of Coca-Cola is clearly a coup for the league and demonstrates the enduring appeal of our competition.
'This partnership will contribute significantly to the proposed re-branding of the Football League.
'I want to say how much we have appreciated the partnership with Nationwide which goes back eight years. I hope we can work with them again.
'This is the best sponsorship deal the Football League has ever done.
'We share the revenue of the league with our clubs. That is what we are there for. The news is good for clubs.
'As this is a significant deal they can look forward to receiving a little more from us next season than they have in the past.'
Mawhinney said the league had worked hard to ensure all their member clubs remained financially viable.
'We have implemented a number of changes to regulate costs. In Division Three, clubs can't spent more than 60% of their income on wages and the same will apply to Division Two next season.
'We are looking for ways to raise more resources and, at the same time, looking to help clubs control costs.'
Nationwide spokesman Chris Hull said: 'Nationwide are the longest running title sponsor in the history of the Football League and we have enjoyed an extremely fruitful association with them over eight seasons.
'During that time we have stood solidly behind the League and football in general over a period of immense difficulty for the game including the ITV Digital problems.
'We have been discussing opportunities regarding future sponsorship of the League but the League have decided to pursue other avenues.
'Given our intrinsic relationship with the game at all levels we are naturally disappointed but maintain our very close links with the game with the England team, FA Cup, Wales and Scotland teams, the Nationwide Conference and women's football.'
Coca-Cola to sponsor Football League
Coca-Cola have agreed to become sponsors of the Football League in the biggest deal in the competition's history.
The new three-year deal begins next season and sees the end of Nationwide's long-standing involvement with domestic football.
From August, the 72 clubs under the Premiership will play in the Coca-Cola League.
The previous deal was worth a reported £4million-a-year to league coffers and this new agreement should mean a bigger handout for each of the member clubs, a large percentage of whom have been struggling since the collapse of the ITV Digital television deal.
'This new agreement is good news, it provides a tremendous boost for league clubs and, on their behalf, it is a great pleasure to welcome Coca-Cola to this partnership,' said Football League chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney.
'I am grateful for their support. For our part we will ensure that we continue to deliver a quality product.
'Attracting a brand of the stature of Coca-Cola is clearly a coup for the league and demonstrates the enduring appeal of our competition.
'This partnership will contribute significantly to the proposed re-branding of the Football League.
'I want to say how much we have appreciated the partnership with Nationwide which goes back eight years. I hope we can work with them again.
'This is the best sponsorship deal the Football League has ever done.
'We share the revenue of the league with our clubs. That is what we are there for. The news is good for clubs.
'As this is a significant deal they can look forward to receiving a little more from us next season than they have in the past.'
Mawhinney said the league had worked hard to ensure all their member clubs remained financially viable.
'We have implemented a number of changes to regulate costs. In Division Three, clubs can't spent more than 60% of their income on wages and the same will apply to Division Two next season.
'We are looking for ways to raise more resources and, at the same time, looking to help clubs control costs.'
Nationwide spokesman Chris Hull said: 'Nationwide are the longest running title sponsor in the history of the Football League and we have enjoyed an extremely fruitful association with them over eight seasons.
'During that time we have stood solidly behind the League and football in general over a period of immense difficulty for the game including the ITV Digital problems.
'We have been discussing opportunities regarding future sponsorship of the League but the League have decided to pursue other avenues.
'Given our intrinsic relationship with the game at all levels we are naturally disappointed but maintain our very close links with the game with the England team, FA Cup, Wales and Scotland teams, the Nationwide Conference and women's football.'
