BK8 has signed sponsorship agreements with five LaLiga Santander clubs, strengthening its presence in the football space and in the Asian betting market.

As a result of the deal, which covers the 2021/22 season, BK8 will become the official Asian betting painter of Athletic Bilbao, Elche CF, RCD Mallorca, Valencia CF and Villarreal CF.

BK8 will gain branding exposure via the five team’s digital and social media channels in Asian markets, in addition regional-focused to virtual perimeter advertising rights, as well as promotional activities with different players from the five clubs across the campaign.

“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,” said Michael Gatt, MD for Europe at BK8.

“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 agreement represents a further expansion of Asia-focused betting operator BK8’s foothold in professional football, naming former Chelsea and England captain John Terry as its Asia brand ambassador in November 2019.

However, a recent agreement signed with newly-promoted Norwich City FC ended in controversy after a number of fans voiced concerns over ‘sexually provocative’ social media marketing campaigns published across BK8’s channels, leading to the Premier League club to terminate the contract.

Commenting on his team’s new agreement with the operator, Anil Murthy, Valencia CF president, remarked: “VCF is a global brand and Asia is an important market for us. We hope that with this agreement with BK8, our presence in Asia will continue to grow.”

Fernando Roig, Villarreal CF President, added: “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.”