William Hill Lost Over Million Pounds After Owen’s Goal

The controversial amount of time added on at the end of Manchester United’s derby clash with City on Sunday cost William Hill over 1 million pounds.

United won the game 4-3 thanks to a goal by Michael Owen in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

William Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe said in a statement: “Had the referee blown 30 seconds or so earlier, at which point everyone other than United fans were convinced the game was over, we’d have been a substantial seven figure sum better off. All those punters who backed the Big Four all to win at the weekend at odds of just under 3-1 will also be quite happy with the ref’s timekeeping.”

Betfair To Sponsor FC Barcelona

Betfair, the world’s biggest online betting community, signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with 2009 Champions League winners FC Barcelona.

It makes the UK-based betting exchange, where football fans bet against each other, the official betting partner of the Catalan giants.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after Betfair signed a three-year partnership deal with English Premier League champions Manchester United.

Another commercial tie-up with Liverpool is expected to be announced soon.

Through the partnership, Betfair will generate sports betting content through FC Barcelona’s website. Its branding will also be visible across multiple channels and locations including perimeter boards at the La Liga club’s Camp Nou stadium.

Bwin Gains Right To Broadcast Spanish Leagues

Bwin was issued online broadcasting rights for the leading Spanish leagues (Primera and Segunda Divisións) in a deal that will last through to 2012.

As a result, Bwin has acquired a live-streaming agreement that will span 80 countries – 30 of which are located in Europe.

Bwin Co-CEO Manfred Bodner referred to Bwin as “one of the leading live sports broadcasters”, going on to note that they offer “an unprecedented choice of different sports”, from football to roller hockey.

Bodner further indicated that Bwin is at the “leading edge of the market”, with plans to continue expanding their current lineup.

In addition to the Spanish leagues, Bwin also holds partnerships with both Bundesliga divisions, the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, and the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches, the Italian Serie A and B leagues.