Sunderland contribute to major problem in English football after new Premier League reveal
For all of the positive aspects at Sunderland this season, there is an overwhelming negative.
Sunderland, after just seven games, are already on course for Premier League survival, having impressed with the way they have adapted to life back in the top flight.
On the pitch, things couldn’t be much better, with the Black Cats having accumulated 11 points already, which is just one less than Southampton achieved throughout the entirety of the previous campaign.
However, while most of the focus is on the positivity at the Stadium of Light, a new Premier League reveal has exposed one of the negatives, and it is something that concerns the entire English pyramid.
Sunderland are one of 11 Premier League clubs with a gambling sponsor
Sunderland’s kits this season are superb, as they have been ever since the Black Cats signed a deal with Hummel to become their new manufacturer.
The shirts showcase the City’s heritage, with some tidy nods to the history of the football club.
However, also emblazoned on the front of the shirt is W88, which is a betting sponsor, and an unlicensed one at that.
Fans hated it when it was first announced, though Sunderland are just one of 11 clubs in the Premier League that are seeking the immoral benefits of a gambling sponsor.
From a financial perspective, Sunderland are benefiting massively from it, but it shows a complete disregard for a growing issue in the sports industry around gambling, with children and vulnerable adults exposed to the dangers of it on a weekly basis.
Every Premier League side with a gambling sponsor
- Bournemouth
- Aston Villa
- Brentford
- Burnley
- Crystal Palace
- Everton
- Fulham
- Nottingham Forest
- Sunderland
- West Ham
- Wolves
Last season, the BBC reported that gambling adverts were shown over 29,000 times in the first week of the Premier League, showcasing the issue that seems to be finally getting phased out.
Premier League are slowly putting an end to betting sponsors
Effective from next season, the Premier League are imposing a ban on gambling sponsors being embalzoned on the front of shirts, though sleeve and stadium adverts will still be allowed.
That is the UK taking a leaf out of the book of several other top European leagues, which have already imposed a full ban on gambling sponsors in the sport.
- Spain and Italy have total bans on gambling/betting sponsors
- Belgium enforced a gambling sponsorship ban in 2023
- Premier League set to introduce partial gambling sponsor ban in 2026
This is as a result of an agreement that was reached back in 2023, after public backlash started to grow over fears of exposure.
At the time of the decision, just under half of the teams in the Premier League had gambling sponsors, with the deals worth in the region of £60million per year.
As for Sunderland, providing they stay in the top flight this season, they will have to move on from the W88 sponsor.
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