Aston Villa Football Club has partnered with BK8 on a sponsorship agreement that will display the company’s logo on the front of the team’s shirts. This collaboration is scheduled to last for three seasons, concluding at the end of the 2025/26 season. Significantly, both Villa and BK8 have committed to working together on projects that benefit the local population.
BK8 has a solid history of supporting mental health organizations in recent years, actively striving to increase public understanding of this crucial topic. Michael Gatt, BK8’s Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, stressed this dedication, saying, “We are thrilled to announce our support for local charities as part of this exciting new partnership with Aston Villa.” He continued, “The chance to work with a club with such a storied past as Aston Villa was a major factor in this partnership, and we are eager to give back to the supporters and the community.”
Gatt also emphasized the company’s commitment to corporate citizenship: “As a brand that has been significantly involved in football for several years, we are deeply committed to collaborating closely with our partners to support local community projects and ensure we continue to deliver on our promise in this area.”
A spokesperson for Aston Villa expressed excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are eager to work with BK8 and develop engaging collaborations that will help both brands expand, particularly in Southeast Asia.”
Aston Villa inked a sponsorship agreement with betting firm BK8 following a vote by Premier League teams against an immediate prohibition on gambling sponsors. This choice followed the abandonment of a proposed ban on such sponsorships, which was detailed in the UK government’s white paper on gambling reform.
Although the Premier League will outlaw gambling sponsorships starting in the 2026/27 season, Villa is at liberty to collaborate with BK8 until that time.
This move has sparked disapproval, notably from Aston Villa’s own chief executive, Christian Purslow. Purslow has been outspoken regarding the financial imbalance between the “Big Six” clubs and the remaining Premier League teams, contending that gambling sponsors provide considerably more funds to clubs outside the top six, thereby hindering their ability to contend financially.
admin