Scottish football clubs have received a record £42 million from the SPFL, the highest figure in the league’s history, according to newly released annual accounts.
The Scottish Professional Football League group’s income also surged past the £50 million mark for the first time, reaching £50.4 million.
That represents a significant increase from last year, with total group distributions up £4.1 million, an 11% rise from £37.9 million.
Fees paid directly to clubs rose to £35.1 million, an increase of £1.4 million on the previous year.
The growth is being widely credited to rising broadcast revenues and a wave of new sponsorship deals.
The SPFL’s long-standing agreement with Sky Sports has delivered increased returns, while a five-season deal with Premier Sports signed last year has also boosted income.
That deal initially covered 20 William Hill Premiership games per season across the UK and Ireland but has since been expanded to 22 matches.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, called the financial results the strongest since the league’s formation in 2013.
“We’re extremely pleased to be able to announce the strongest turnover and total group distributions in the history of Scottish league football,” Doncaster said.
“These figures are by some distance the best financial figures in the 12 years of the SPFL.
“Against a backdrop of worldwide economic uncertainty, the strong cooperation amongst our clubs and a shared focus to continue to grow our game commercially has been vital to achieving these results.”
The league has also benefitted from surging interest beyond live matches.
Licensing, match data, and sponsorship revenues are all on the rise, bolstered by a five-year, record-breaking sponsorship deal with bookmaker William Hill, now in its first season.
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan praised the organisation’s small but focused team and said the financial gains should inspire further growth.
“Our latest results once again underline the strength and ambition of our game here in Scotland,” he said.
“We will now look to build on this momentum in the months and years ahead.”
The SPFL’s group distributions cover a range of payments to clubs.
That includes fees based on final league position, known as the ‘ladder’, as well as parachute payments, prize money in the Premier Sports Cup and KDM Evolution Trophy, funding for ScottishPower Women’s Premier League clubs, and facility fees for televised matches.
The figures follow a recent UEFA report which confirmed Scottish football enjoys the highest match attendances per capita of any league in Europe for the third year running.
