The Mysterious Companies Who Sponsor Premier League Teams
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- The likes of Leeds United, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United all currently have shirts sponsored by companies that few people in the United Kingdom will ever have heard of - and almost the entire league has some form of sponsorship from a company of this kind.
A lot of these companies are based in the Philippines, and appear to be focussed solely on selling their gambling platforms to Chinese viewers, despite the fact that gambling is illegal in China.
So in this video, HITC Sevens takes a look at the unknown and mysterious companies paying tens of millions of pounds to sponsor Premier League teams, why they do it, and whether it is likely to continue.
CREDIT: There have been a number of fine investigations into this subject before my own, including one by Joey D'Urso for The Athletic that I would highly recommend for anyone seeking further reading on the subject.
He’s out here providing the answers to questions we never asked, but needed the answer for
So you were the guy who killed me!!
Im sensing alot of tension here.....
But out of curiosity would that make you two the same person or....how exactly does this work...
hello cousin
I think he'd just watched john Oliver the night before
Really, you - as a someone who watches football I would assume since you arw watching this channel - asked yourself who these companies are? I know I have.
As a Filipino, I think you did really well with your research on the POGO situation here. Just some things though:
* POGO refers to the offshore gambling operators, *not* to a regulatory body (that's PAGCOR's job)
* Tensions between Beijing and Manila are mainly due to territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea
* If anything, Duterte doesn't seem to be bothered by the negatives of these POGOs. He may have a reputation for being a pottymouth, but the guy loves China (whom he refers to as a best friend)
* Some POGOs do not even pay taxes (not much of a win-win, especially with the behavior of their workers)
* The Philippines isn't a football-loving country (i.e. not much of a football gambling market), but the policies seem lax (even before Duterte), so there are a number of betting firms based here, e.g. Dafabet and SBOBET, and virtually nobody knows about them.
Great vid overall Alfie, maybe a video on Philippine football soon?
Well said. I dont want to be political but our govt is kissing China's ass ever since and i regret voting him im 2016
Sana gumawa siya ng video tungkol sa Azkals
This is why I like Luton Town's policy on shirt sponsors, no gambling companies and normally it is always a local company. This week its replaced with Prostate Cancer. Although not great financially as a mid table championship club this seems to be the right way of doing things
Norwich used to have a similar policy but we were supposed to be sponsored by bk8 this season but the fans were massively outraged by the company and their marketing in general so they cancelled the sponsorship .
Athletic Club's also got similar things with either having had no shirt sponsor or a Basque shirt sponsor (Petronor and Kutxabank)
AFC Richmond this year also ditched their corporate sponsor, Dubai Air.
Up the Hatters💪🏼🧡💙
@@stevencooke6451 😂😂
Oldham sacked their 15th manager since 2015 this week, with none of the last 14 lasting more than 50 games. Really hoping you can make a video on the club soon!
Yes it is a mess there
Yes would 100% love that as an Oldham fan
Yes please.
Yes do Oldham video
Yeah that’d be a good
"John Terry had no such complaints" cracked me up
Also the "cock fighting" bit lol, Alfie's humour is really underrated 😂😂😂
@@LuigiLuigi728 I def. do enjoy me some Alfie over crazy scarf man
@@somerandomedgyguy1723 They're both funny man😂
This has to be the best football channel on UA-cam imo. Your in-depth research on various different topics within the sport is absolutely superb. Being a Norwich fan, I’m delighted that the club decided against the BK8 sponsorship deal in the end. Yes, we don’t get the money, but I like to think Norwich is trying to do things the right way, so I find it funny when TalkSport and other critics say ‘What is the point in Norwich?’. Hilarious when you think our budget is by far the smallest in the EPL, but apparently we are the laughing stock? I hope we can prove these people wrong and stay up. Football could do with a financial reset (which I know will never happen), but wouldn’t it be great to see football return to a more competitive sport for all teams in the top league, rather than who has the most money.
Alfie has a lot of balls making the content he makes. Calling out China & the Saudis is no walk in the park. I do miss my Wolves tops having good spobsers though.
I don't think chinese or saudi mafia care enough to target a british football youtube channel
@@frankunodostres473 nah mate the crown prince of Saudi and rulers of China are sitting down now to plan how they gonna deal with Alfie 🤣
I liked it when Everton were rocking Angry Birds
Same here mate - the sponsors really spoil our shirts. Wish we could have Goodyear again!
As a Newcastle fan i miss the classic Blue Star / Brown Ale logo
Let’s just appreciate that Alfie got offered a brand deal with 1XBet and instead decided to make them the deep dive case study for how dodgy all these companies are, bet that PR manager will be delighted if he sees this video
Can't wait for the day when All Elite Wrestling will sponsor Fulham.
Fulham doesn't really scream *"All Elite"* though tbh.
I don’t think All Elite Wrestling want to sour their hard earned reputation by associating themselves with Fulham
Betting sponsors need to go ASAP in football
Her game too should be some sponsors in shirt sponsors hopefully
I had a heavy gambiling addiction but thankful to be 2 years clean, I would love the UK Gov or Prem to ban any gambling sponsorship on shirts. It's terrible
@@JohnM-sw4sc Just on the shirt not the gambling itself, Children wear those jerseys dude
@@Qwepzy They remove the gambling sponsor on the kids shirts. Because, you know, children couldn't possibly want an *accurate* shirt
@@JohnM-sw4sc This is kind of an irresponsible thing to say. Would you also allow cigarette companies to advertise? Because I've seen gambling ruin far more people than smoking. If yes I'm glad the EPL doesn't have you on board. Many followers of the PL are fairly young. If it's just a "hustle" for you, then I really think you need to fix that moral compass. Also minimising exposure will at-least save some people who would've lost their lively hood. If you think this isn't a problem then you must live a sheltered life. "Brits love banning things", wow how overdramatic to stop one of the most common reasons for debt and a major contributor to suicide, yeah them darn Brits with their smart ideas.
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsor is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
Alfie here, rejecting gambling sponsorships and straight up called out one who tried to sponsor him, bravo!
I think this is one of the best Alfies videos. The topic of football and politics is very interesting and intertwined. Coming from Croatia, Balkan area, where football is often used as a political platform, I think you should really stick up making this documentary style videos even if views are sligthy down on them. Cheers, Alfie!
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsee is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
Gambling sponsors need to go in football ASAP
@@JohnM-sw4sc it’s bad John
@@JohnM-sw4sc many men can have a addiction to that.
@@JohnM-sw4sc take care John
I don’t think you understand
@@JohnM-sw4sc it will stop the addiction.
Yes gambling adds and sponsorship for online gambling need banning. Same as cigarettes, take the glamour out of it. Gambling online is too easy.
Fulham: Pizzahut
Norwich: Colman's
Sheff Wed: Chupa Chups
Villa: LDV Vans
Newcastle: Mckewans
York: Portakabin
Bury: Birthday's
Liverpool: Carlsberg
Chelsea: Amiga
Chelsea: Commodore
Chelsea: Coors
Coventry: Peugeot
Good times
Manchester United: Sharp
Arsenal: JVC
Arsenal: SEGA and the ill-fated Dreamcast
@@guguy00 Arsenal were sponsored by Dreamcast even during the season 2001-02, when the Dreamcast was officially discontinued around March 2001.
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsor is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
As a Filipino, I’d never thought I’d hear about the Philippine government and their foreign policy in an HITC video
As a HITC viewer , I never thought I'd see a Filipino commenter
We are a rare audience maybe.
Ouch, that picture of the Wigan shirt with our old owners’ sponsor hurt. Especially considering the relegation bet rumour
Its very apt as the Guys company and main betting floors are in the Philippines.
Proud to be a Luton fan cause they dont accept gambling money
This is top quality journalism. Good work.
I think this is your best and most hard hitting videos. I know many who have been affected by gambling addiction. And the blind eye being turned is ridiculous and very damaging. Time for change
I detest the presence of betting companies on football shirts - the countries where these are banned have it right.
As a kid, I recognised teams by who they were sponsored by. If you're in your 30s like me, merely saying Sharp, JVC, Carlsberg, Coor's or AST Computers, you will probably know the team. Children pick up on these things.
I know teams who was sponsored by those you mentioned (Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea)
But I don't remember any team sponsored by AST Computers.
Which team?
We will have a new generation of cock fighters, based
@@Anindyatejo Aston Villa in the mid 90s
HITC Sevens really is the people’s channel, class as always mate. Viva la Alfie!
one of the best videos I have seen in a long time!
Great video. Never agreed with betting sponsors. The Government definitely need to ban these companies. I pray that everyone struggling with a betting addiction will see the light and seek help 🙏🏼 Communication is important!
Government taxes gambling, its never going away...
@@doublejumpvideogames.... the government taxes or could tax a lot of things they've banned
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsor is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
Day 55: Every professional seasons of one player ranked from worst to best ( Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Zidane or even Lord Bedtner whoever you want)
You should credit Philippe Auclair and Josimar magazinefor their multiple year research this story.
Barnsley are still sponsored by CK Beckett, a local trade merchant
Aren’t they about to fold ? 🤣🤣🤣
I watched your video until the end. I'm actually blown away with the fact you have shone a light on these practices and even turned down said sponsorship. Good for you! Awesome!
this type of content is why HITC Sevens is the best football youtube channel.
Betting sponsors are the worst thing to happen in football business
The evolution of short sponsors since 2000 has been interesting. Back then IT eg Tiny, some booze. Then insurers and fiscal services. Some car manufacturers. Even the occasional left field eg JobServe at the hammers. Now nearly ball gambling...
and Islamic monarchs. Bayern just angered a lot of their members, when they refused to address their Qatar deal at the general assembly.
Love how well researched your videos are. Who would ever have thought Filipino gambling regulators would have such an impact on Crystal Palace vs Wolves.
I recall that when Bristol City switched from Bristol-based construction company Lancer Scott to a Swedish betting site, there was an outcry from a local student newspaper. (Not sure about other local news site as I didn't read that many.)
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsor is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
Gotta give credit to Norwich their sponsors are from Norwich.
I do remember when Norwich were sponsored by "Lotus" a local racing and road car producer, but it went through tough times but is now owned by a Chinese company, 🤔🤔🏴
One of the best channels I’ve discovered this year by far
I miss wholesome sponsors…
Why can't everyone work to get sponsors like Barca's old unicef deal? Then again, Barca showed up in this video so, times change I guess...
Good job. Solid investigatory journalism. Quality. Maybe you should do sports pages of private eye.
I had long thought the influx of Chinese sponsors represented a variety of industries, so it's pretty mind-blowing to learn they're all related. As an American who grew up in Nevada I am generally pro-gambling. That's because while problem gambling does exist, the tax revenue from gaming is vital to the state's economy and education system. Indeed most states which have legal gambling/lottery/sportsbooks use the tax revenue for the public good such as education or land conservation. I would rather see PL clubs partner with legitimate betting agencies, but is there anything billionaires love more than unregulated, dubious cashflow?
Shame on u for pretending to be righteous🤢🤢🤮Banks r technically legalized scams🤏Liverpool sponsor is known scammer🤏City ,Arsenal & Newcastle sponsors r companies that directly owned by authoritarian regimes who practice child labor, torture & numerous human rights abuses. So pls spare us this fake righteousness🤢🤢🤮
That is fascinating. At least my team Swansea City are no longer sponsored by YoBet or 32RED, but by the local University. Though why a Uni should need to sponsor a football club is another mystery.
Portsmouth are the same
This kinda of long-form investigative video are why I love this channel
Great vid! Now do one on that "fan token" shirt deal I see on Inter and Valencia kits now. I'm sure it will informative as usual.
You've got to appreciate the work that goes into these videos.
Is it any wonder why Retro kit sales are on the increase? Give me a Newcastle brown ale star over Fun88 any day.
Great video, better than the usual lists. Well done!
Can you do a documentary on the afc Wimbledon on the nine promotions in eleven years, how they’re a fan own club and how they have a stadium in plough lane now.
The story of they lost the club, how the F A allowed that and won’t allow that anymore.
Great investigative journalism which the mainstream media is failing to do! Well done!
As well as banning betting sponsors on shirts, it would be good if sponsors had at least a reasonable market in the UK. Liverpool and Carlsberg, Man United and Vodafone, a lot of these are actually quite iconic shirt sponsors for one reason or another and are actually kits you’d want to buy.
To me I always think of the classic ones are Liverpool and Crown Paints or Candy, Manchester United and Sharp, Manchester City and Brother, and Arsenal and JVC.
I came to watch a video about shirt sponsors, now I'm learning about how the Philippines managed to exploit China's gambling policies
This is one of your best videos so far. Believe it or not , I just posted on my FB this afternoon about the betting problem in the UK. I was listening to the talksport commentary and all the betting ads and live odds were getting to me. It's amazing that betting has such a stranglehold on sports like this. I remember when we had wholesome companies just selling cigarettes and beer lol. What's the difference I guess is my point? If Carling can't be on the front of Newcastle's shirt then why can a betting company? Both are very destructive in their ways.
How are you one of the best journalists on youtube? i forgot i was watching a football video. Love it!
One of my favorite HTC Sevens videos. Very interesting and wild! 👍👍👍
"John Terry had no such complaints" lmao I lost it 🤣
Thank you for making this content. It helps a lot in providing more transparency to a world of football that seems dirtier with each passing season.
It's only now looking at the still of the gambleaware advert that I see how flawed it is. The word "fun" is literally bigger and in brighter colours than the word "stop"!
With fun drug dealers, pimps and casino owners thrive, with stop they get broke. Responsible customers aren't as profitable as the full degen ones
Alfie has outdone himself with this video.👏👏That 1xBet email was hilarious 😂
I hope this video is sort of an exposè on the levels of the Sunday Times and Prem Clubs start to pull out of such crass deals.
This is why I’m proud as a Norwich fan we have lotus as our main sponsor
Great video buddy!
Excellent video, Alfie! Entertaining and insightful... Keep up the good work
This was a great video and really awesome journalism! Thank you
Fantastic video as always. Big up man👍👍👍
This whole ban on gambling in China makes Macau's existence as Asias Gambling Capital all the more interesting
Although, I am pretty sure they only allow Macau that to pressure Hong Kong as the former is behaving like China wants in all other aspects
So is the traitorous HK government. Long live free Hong Kong!
Dodgy company's like these is exactly why we need independent football regulators at this point.
Like FIFA?
Your content is top quality, thank you for your commitment and research!
Top quality research as always man.
I love this channel. You teach us about new information us football heads wouldn’t be interested in any other way. Thank you❤️
Irony at its finest, one of my midroll ads was for Draft Kings. Would’ve been funnier/creepier if I got an ad for any of said betting companies but that’s still pretty damn good
Can we acknowledge the fact that Alfie was talking about short-sighted finances in football with Ed Woodward on screen?
Fantastic video man
The only good think to come from the Saudi takeover of NUFC is that we will never need to look at Fun88 or SportsDirect adverts at the home matches again. Now if I could just overlook all the human rights abuses and murdering of political dissidents.
Your channel is my favorite!! I hope you read comments sometimes because this is genuinely my favorite football channel on UA-cam, you do your own thing regarding topics, and they never fail to intrigue me. Thanks for keeping things interesting on here and giving me more knowledge while doing so. This stuff is always so cool with you.
How much did John Terry pay to be allowed to sponsor bk8? Probably a lifetime subscription to the site?
Great video alfie
This interests me since I was looking up Villa's sleeve sponsor. It links to an unbuilt gambling site. Cheers mate.
About time someone called out my country's suspicious act of Chinese gambling here and I'm not expecting it from a football channel and I'm also surprised at this since I'm a huge Watford FC fan and I'm glad they wouldn't do something like this.
Bolton wanderers was terminated all relationships with gambling companies baring the ones enforced by the league. we have no betting kiosk in the stadium and have teamed up with an addiction charity to help those affected hopefully other clubs will follow.
Oh Man! Thanks for your videos! Greetings from Mexico!
HITCSevens, please do a video about the best XI in the Premier League since 1992 in each position e.g Schmeichel, Cech in goal, Neville, Azpilicueta, Walker at right back. It would be brilliant.
Love this type of content Alfie! Intersection of politics and sport is so important. Keep it up! I'd happily be a patron for this content
Love how this guy gives the story unvarnished with a added touch of wit👍😉
I used to work in a Bookies, had a Chinese customer who would do £1000 bets, all in cash.
This is very interesting. As someone that has family in the Philippines I never knew about this
God bless this channel. i'm always eager to watch anything y'all would make a documentary on
This channel is so good it's depressing
Alfie, fantastic job. As a addicted kit collector it gets very boring to nothing but gambling and airline shirt sponsors on today's kit. As you well noted that the sponsors of yesterday Doritos, Strongbow, 7UP etc push other habits that can lead to well let's say reportedly obesity,diabetes,liver damage and more other health issues. Gambling addiction can lead to crime, loss of jobs and family. My concern is that the gambling site sponsors lack decent designs. The iconic 7UP and Toyota logos of the 90s Fioantina kit looks so much cooler than the hideous logo of Newcastles's latest sponsors. I think I've bought maybe 3 or 4 of the current Premier League kits as opposed to the 10 to 15 in a usual season. This is also true of the Bundesliga, LaLiga,Serie A as well. Bring back the wildly colorful kits of the 90s. Garish perhaps but at least they were originals. Well done Sir loved this edition of HITC Sevens !
Basically, money talks and makes people overlook heinous crimes, so long as people can line their pockets.
Gotta love capitalism
Doesn't make sense that Gambling Companies are allowed to sponsor but there is a really strict ban with Tobacco sponsorship which you may argue is at least as lethal as Gambling but at least these companies are legal.
Gambling makes more money I guess, greed is more appealing than future cancer.
Cant believe Inter got rid of the Pirelli sponsor after 20 years just to have a Chinese crypto currency sponsor
Tyres seems like a not very good option to fight inflation, crypto has proven in the last decade to be one of the best ways to protect us from the evil money printer
1xbet is still going strong here in Nigeria, the scandals the company is involved in hardly got any press coverage here.
You are a real journalist! ❤
My God, I never expected the Philippine problem with Chinese online betting outlets being discussed on HITC Sevens of all places.
Why hitc sevens is a great channel came for one reason left with the knowledge of Chinese Philippine gambling relations
Another winner video, cheers!
Great content
Keep it up💯
Could you do a video on Perugia’s 78-79 season and how they were invincible (and the first in the Italian top flight to do so I believe) and still finished 2nd in Serie A.
fly emirates is by far the worst sponsor in football because it is just so overused.
meanwhile I think 3 is one of the best looking logos I've seen on a shirt since ages. aside from its obvious meme potential (for whenever chelsea score or concede 3 goals) it is simply refreshing to see a sponsor logo that doesn't mainly consist of letters. just looks cool imo
What does 3 sell?
@@robertewalt7789 phones (?)
A brilliant video!
Another job well done, Alfie. Always amazes me every time you put up a documentary video about interesting topics.
And, I must admit, I never expected to hear my country and nation's president to be mentioned and be involved. 5:20
As a wolves fan I do dislike the sponsor, not because it’s a dodgy Asian betting firm that’s based on Malta, but because the logo is just ugly! It’s like someone who never been to McDonald’s but likes football created a logo for McDonald’s!
As a fellow Wolves fan, I totally agree and have always thought the same about the McDonald's resemblance! Oh for the return of Goodyear or Manders...
Imagine having a sponsor from Malta that isn't the Knights Order
Excellent video.
I remember when Wolves were sponsored by Goodyear, which was also a huge employer in the (then) town. The factory is long closed and demolished and the sponsorship gone with it.
Excellent video