Premier League Global Plans
14th February, 2008
As managers and players in the Premiership are in dismay and disbelief about the FA’s choice for the Premiership to participate in an 'International round of Premiership football' bookmakers are feeling quite the opposite. Many had already considered this choice as inevitable, following the NFL’s recent use of Wembley Stadium.
Many main players in the online gambling industry such as Sportingbet, Ladbrokes and Unibet are anticipating an increase in opportunities for new advertising and new audiences.
David Hobday, Sportingbet’s chief operating officer said the news provides them with a “prime opportunity” to market betting to new markets.
The concept of an international round of premier league football has already sparked betting opportunities with Paddy Power issuing odds on who would be the hosts and teams competing in the first match.
Although this opportunity could further the internationalisation of some brands, they could lose elsewhere. For example, local regulatory rules on the subject of gambling would have to be considered and many brands are used as sponsors for Premiership clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
