Online gambling operator BK8 has revealed its move back into European football, after unveiling partnerships with five clubs in Spain’s La Liga Santander.
After previously seeing a partnership alongside Norwich City be terminated earlier in the year, BK8 has become the official ‘Asian Betting Partner’ of Valencia CF, Athletic Club, Villarreal CF, RCD Mallorca and Elche CF for the course of the 2021-22 La Liga season.
Michael Gatt, MD for Europe at BK8, explained: “These new deals are really exciting for BK8 and represent a huge marker for us as a brand in being able to begin to achieve some of our objectives in working closely with football related partnerships.
“We are very ambitious and to have joined forces with some of Spain’s leading clubs shows the determination we have to be able to address some of the work we want to do moving forward.
“We are working with a number of football stakeholders across Europe at this moment in time, so we can continue on this positive trajectory and help us invest with not just clubs but also charities and the community who share our ambition to make a difference in football.
“This partnership with some of Spain’s elite football institutions puts us on the map in Europe and we look forward to a successful relationship with them all.”
The deals will see BK8 branding become visible on the club’s digital and social media channels in Asian markets, as well as via virtual perimeter advertising rights in the region. The firm will also participate in activities with players of all five clubs across the season.
Fernando Roig, Villarreal president, said: “We are very pleased with this partnership agreement in Asia. We hope it is beneficial and positive for both parties, and as a global sporting entity, it helps us gain presence in such an important continent.”
Joaquin Buitrago, Elche president, added: “ It is great news for us to sign this partnership with BK8. A company with proven influence in the Asian market, and that allows us to strengthen our sponsorship structure and also to continue enhancing our image in the international market together with other La Liga clubs.”
