Betclic linked to Ligue 3 naming rights, company says no deal | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Betclic has been discussed as a potential naming sponsor for the new Ligue 3, formerly National, but the company says no agreement is in place and the FFF says talks are not concluded.

The rumour has reached federation corridors and well-briefed parliamentary circles as a bill on professional sport financing is due to be examined on 29 June at the National Assembly, with debates and amendments on sports betting, operators and regulation.

The Bordeaux-based operator already lends its name to the men’s basketball top flight, Betclic Elite, since 2021-2022. It has been an FFF partner since August 2021 under Noël Le Graët, a deal running until the current World Cup and covering the national teams, Coupe de France and amateur football. Last year it also joined the Arkema Première Ligue for five seasons, to 2030.

In a tough financial climate, football stakeholders are eyeing betting-operator income, with the sector’s revenue up 10% last year. The Ligue 3 project is due to be officially launched on one July.

The launch was confirmed on 12 May, the new professional division will comprise 18 clubs, begin on seven August, and be shown in full on Ligue 1+. Tensions persist between some France players and the federation over online betting promotions, with Kylian Mbappé opposing the use of his image for Betclic advertising, and Rayan Cherki also objecting shortly before the World Cup.

Source: L'Équipe