The Football League has signed a lucrative a sponsorship deal worth a reported £21million with npower that will see the energy suppliers become title sponsors until the end of the 2012-13 season.
The three-year deal, worth a reported £7 million-a-season, will see npower replace Coca-Cola as title sponsors at the end of the current season. The deal includes additional benefits for both parties and Lord Mawhinney has stated his delight to secure such an important deal in one of the last acts of his tenure as Football League chairman.
"They are a widely respected company with a strong pedigree in sports sponsorship," he said. "Their support is a huge boost to our clubs and represents the enhanced reputation of the Football League in the commercial marketplace."
He added: "Like us, npower recognise the extraordinary attachment that Football League clubs have with people living in their local communities.
"This agreement will provide real benefit to those people."
From next season, the League's flagship competition will be known as 'the npower Football League', which will be split into the 'the npower Championship', 'npower League 1' and 'npower League 2'.
The deal with the Football League further increases npower's football commitment, after signing up as the first official supporter of England's bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup last week.
