What next for Everton as 'multi-millions' could be lost through government crackdown
Everton face losing multi-millions over a government crackdown on advertising of unlicensed betting companies.
The Toffees only recently announced that Stake will become the 'official sleeve partner' from this start of the upcoming season.
It was an agreement hailed as "groundbreaking" and extended the Toffees' partnership with the firm.
Stake has been Everton's main shirt sponsor for four seasons, coinciding with the Toffees' move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
While details of the agreement are not fully known, such sponsorship deals are worth millions to Premier League clubs.
However, the Merseyside outfit may now have to look for another sleeve partner before that multi-year agreement is complete.
Why may Everton be forced to walk away from Stake agreement?
The print edition of business and finance newspaper City AM reported on Thursday that the UK Government has stepped up plans to ban advertising of unlicensed betting companies.
That is particularly relevant to Everton as this is a category Stake.com fall into as it is not UK licensed.
Everton have already removed Stake from the front of shirts due to a voluntary Premier League ban coming in regarding betting companies.
However, Everton clearly felt they would not have such issues when it came to sleeve sponsorships.
The ban could cost Everton "multi-millions", the report adds, with a separate report outlining just how much the deal is worth.
How much is Stake sponsorship deal worth to Everton?
The Guardian reports that the deal is worth at least £10million to Everton over the next three seasons.
But it is expected that agreement will have to be ripped up after just a year.
That leaves the Toffees needing to find a replacement, although the exact ins and outs are not exactly clear.
Judging by the reports, Everton do at least have this season before they will be forced into a change.
It is an unwelcome headache, though, and one that has clearly blindsided Everton just weeks after this agreement was struck.
Everton's agreement with CMC Markets, which has replaced Stake on the front of shirts, is not impacted.
Goodison News has previously outlined how that sponsorship deal is bringing in £30million to Everton.