Aston Villa: £40m behind-the-scenes agreement has ‘upset’ Villa fans
Dan Bardell understands why Aston Villa have agreed a £40million shirt sponsor deal with gambling firm Betano.
The Telegraph reported on its website on 21 March that the Greek online betting company will pay £20million-a-year for a two-year deal starting next season.
It added that the agreement marks the biggest front-of-shirt sponsorship deal in the club’s history and coincides with their switch to German kit manufactuter Adidas for the next campaign.
Although Bardell admitted he understands why some Villa fans are “upset” about the agreement because gambling can “ruin lives”, he added that the club are always going to accept a “hefty deal” that sees them benefit financially.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “It’s a difficult one because I’ve done work for podcasts and shows that are sponsored by betting companies, so it’s not really something I can sit here and get on my high horse about.
“I understand the frustration in some quarters around it because I get that it’s an illness and can ruin lives. I understand because of the climate we’re living in, that Villa want to maximise revenue.
“Even before all this PSR stuff, a football club’s going to take an offer that sees them earn more money, that’s just the way it works. It’s not something where Villa are going to come out of it and look good.
“It will be a little bit disappointing to a lot people, but I understand why the club are doing it because, for a front-of-shirt sponsor, that seems to be where the money is. It seems to be a pretty hefty deal.
“That £20million a season feels really big. I guess the company gets the exposure and Villa get the money.
“A lot of the off the field stuff at Villa, I’ve been very disappointed in this season, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that isn’t great.
“I think probably the least of our worries is this in some ways, but I do understand why people are upset with it.”
Is it right for Aston Villa to sign up to Betano deal?
This topic has caused plenty of debate amongst the Villa fans since the reports came out about the agreement with Betano.
As Bardell points out, the club are always going to accept a deal of this nature, particularly due to their widely documented financial situation.
They may argue that it will help solve some of their money issues in a bid to continue pushing forward on the pitch next season.
In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has raged at the “unfair” criticism he’s seen aimed at a Villa star.
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