![\"Neil-Doncaster-and-SPFL\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Neil-Doncaster-and-SPFL.png\")
Enhanced deals with broadcasters and sponsors enabled the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) to make record payments to its clubs in the last year.<\/p>\n
Its latest annual accounts confirm total group distributions increased by \u00a37.6m (18%) to \u00a349.6m \u2013 by far the highest figure in the league\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
SPFL group income totalled \u00a358m, whilst fees paid to clubs by the SPFL also increased by \u00a36m or 17% to \u00a341.2m.<\/p>\n
The SPFL group is aiming for \u00a350m in distributions to clubs by 2029, following an independent strategic review by Deloitte\u2019s Sports Business Group in 2021, to support the commercial growth of Scottish football.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The latest increase has been driven by several factors, including additional broadcast income, which includes the SPFL\u2019s contracts with Sky Sports and Premier Sports for live William Hill Premiership matches until 2029, and an enhanced deal with Premier Sports for the broadcast and sponsorship of the Premier Sports Cup until at least 2031.<\/p>\n
This was further supplemented by strong growth in other commercial areas. As well as broadcast rights, the SPFL receives income from licensing, match data and sponsorship, including the record-breaking title sponsorship deal with leading UK bookmaker, William Hill.<\/p>\n
During the financial year, the SPFL welcomed HALO as its first ever official technology partner, and the SPFL Trust charity as its first official community partner. <\/p>\n
KDM Group also continued its title sponsorship of the KDM Evolution Trophy, where the number of minutes played by Scottish eligible under 21 players increased fourfold following innovative changes to the competition format.<\/p>\n
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: \u201cIn an increasingly competitive international rights market, these results are testament to the enduring attraction of the SPFL.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are by far the strongest financial results in the SPFL\u2019s history, with turnover and total group distributions both surpassing the records set last year, and we are determined to maintain that momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to a great deal of hard work by clubs and individuals right across the SPFL, we\u2019ve made substantial progress towards our \u00a350 million strategic target for club distributions.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrucially, as well as record-breaking commercial income, our member clubs have also welcomed the highest yearly attendances in the SPFL era, following one of the most exciting seasons Scottish football has ever experienced. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat drama and energy has been reflected in the level of interest we\u2019ve seen from our broadcast and commercial partners, in a season that saw a record-breaking number of games broadcast live.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuccessfully balancing broadcast revenue with match-day attendances and the unique atmosphere created within packed stadia is central to the SPFL being recognised widely as one of the most intense, compelling, and emotive sporting competitions in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said: \u201cThese latest accounts are extremely encouraging and a real credit to the partnerships between the small, dedicated staff at the SPFL and our member clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese record-breaking figures demonstrate Scottish football\u2019s incredible popularity, and we believe that by working closely with the 42 SPFL clubs across all four divisions, we can deliver our aim to achieve \u00a350m of distributions to members this season \u2013 which would be two years ahead of the ambitious target we set ourselves four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Group distributions comprise fees paid to clubs through the ladder system (which gives a fixed percentage of fees based on where each club finishes in the league), parachute payments, money paid to ScottishPower Women\u2019s Premier League clubs, prize money in the Premier Sports Cup and KDM Evolution Trophy, and facility fees paid in respect of William Hill Premiership matches shown on Premier Sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t <\/div>\n