October 26: The SPFL has added Smart Energy GB to its commercial roster in a league-wide deal that will put the organization alongside live scoring and on-the-clock graphics during Scottish Premiership broadcasts.
Smart Energy GB becomes the official smart meter partner and official timing partner of the league, and its brand also appears on the digital substitution board of all SPFL clubs.
It is the first time an SPFL commercial partner has received this particular inventory, while Premier Sports’ coverage will also include specially produced player advertising bumpers.
The deal has been delivered through Scottish Football Marketing, the centralized commercial operation working across the SPFL, the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the Scottish FA.
A new ‘Smart Energy GB Save of the Month’ award will also be part of the activation, adding a slightly more football-specific hook to a partnership based around promoting smart meters and raising awareness of home energy.
Smart Energy GB is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping households and small businesses understand smart meter technology. It has used the sport before, including through partnerships with the EFL and Professional Darts Corporation.
The deal comes at a useful time for the SPFL, whose latest accounts showed record group distributions of £49.6m to clubs, an increase of £7.6m year-on-year, with total group income reaching £58m. Fees paid directly to clubs also increased by 17% to £41.2m.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL Group Chief Executive, said: “Smart Energy GB has demonstrated a commitment to helping sports fans manage their energy bills and we are proud that they are now taking this message to a Scottish audience through the SPFL.
“Having recently announced record payouts to SPFL clubs, we know the value these partnerships have in growing our game and look forward to building a strong working relationship with the Smart Energy GB team.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)