Conference may need new sponsor

The Conference may be looking for a new sponsor with the future of Blue Square Bet in doubt.   The future of Blue Square Bet , who are in their sixth season of sponorship, is being reviewed by owners Rank Group.   The business is running at an operating loss and Rank wants to concentrate its resources on its bingo and casino activities.

The Conference may be looking for a new sponsor with the future of Blue Square Bet in doubt.   The future of Blue Square Bet , who are in their sixth season of sponorship, is being reviewed by owners Rank Group.   The business is running at an operating loss and Rank wants to concentrate its resources on its bingo and casino activities.

The league’s contract is estimated to be worth around £700,000 a year.   Clubs in the Blue Square Bet Premier currently receive around £35,000 a year from the Conference with those in the Blue Square Bet South and North taking £12,500.    The greater part of that money comes from the sponsorship.

The Conference’s current television deal is with Irish subscription channel Premier Sports.   They could extend their current three year deal which sees each home club receive £5,000 for hosting a live game, with visiting teams getting £1,000.  

However, the Conference are also talking to ESPN and BT Vision.  Stephen Cook recently left ESPN to become BT’s senior executive producer.   He is known to be fan of non-league coverage, having been one of the main movers in the deal Setanta struck with the Conference in 2007.