Soccer is one of the most loved sports in Scotland. The league is called Scottish Premiership (former Scottish Premier League before it merged with the Scottish Football League in 2013). There are 12 teams in this league and the current champions are Rangers. The other most known teams are Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee.
Scotland is not a traditional soccer powerhouse but the country has been producing some talented players for many years now. Some of them include Kenny Dalglish, Stewart McKimmie or Jackie McNamara.
Culture of watching soccer games is special in Scotland since there are many pubs and bars that offer live games on large screens for people to watch. There is also a lot of betting on soccer games in Scotland, one can bet through betting sites like Ladbrokes or William Hill or an online kaszino as well as in a bookmaker's office. Soccer industry in Scotland is estimated to be worth around £300 million. Let us discover money that stands behind soccer in Scotland.
The richest soccer team in Scotland
It is Glasgow Rangers. It was founded in 1872 and it is the most successful team in Scotland, having won 54 major trophies out of 118 Scottish domestic competitions which they entered since their foundation. Their budget is around £20 million. One trophy can bring more or less £500,000 in prize money so it is from where the team got its money.
Rangers is followed by Celtic, founded in 1888 and has a budget of £15 millions. Celtic is the current champion of Scottish Premier League and has won 45 major trophies since their inception.
The richest soccer player in Scotland
Scot, who has the most money in Scottish soccer, is ex-player of Rangers and Celtic Jim McCalliog. He has a net worth of £26 million. Jim was born in a working class family and he was the first ever footballer to play in all four divisions of English League. He made a record by playing for 11 different clubs as well.
Jim McCalliog is followed by Bobby Lennox, who has net worth of £14 million (£12m less than Jim). Celtic's Victor Wanyama is the next among the richest Scottish football players with a net worth of £12 million.
The highest salaries for soccer players in Scotland
The highest salaries for soccer players in Scotland are £100,000 a week. There are players who earn some more like Steven Gerrard, who used to play for Liverpool and other English teams with a salary of £150k a week or Rio Ferdinand who played for Manchester United has the highest earning among soccer players in Scotland -£120K.
The most expensive stadium in Scotland
Stadiums can be huge investments for teams and the biggest one in Scotland is the one that belongs to Celtic. The club spent £13 million on the redevelopment project of their stadium, which is among the most expensive stadiums in Scotland, but one of the cheapest in England.
The richest person in soccer industry in Scotland
Calliog FC's chairman Jim McColl has net worth of £400 million (£301m more than Sir Alex Ferguson) and he is the richest person in the soccer industry in Scotland.
The highest betting win on soccer in Scotland
Sky Betting & Gaming, who are sponsors of Scottish Premier League, have won £14 million from bets placed by their customers. The company says that 90% of those funds will go to charities including Cancer Research UK.
The biggest soccer match betting win is £77,000 after placing a bet on Celtic vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle with odds 15/16 and a return of £93,750 (winnings) from Ladbrokes.
What are the biggest soccer events in Scotland and what are the prizes for winning them?
Champions League
This one is for the national football team of Scotland which includes players who are Scottish. The team is managed by Gordon Strachan.
The winners get a trophy and prize money of €12,000,000 (€11m) out which 50% will go to the national football association who organised it.
Euro
This championship involves only European national teams. Scotland has quite a good national team and is currently ranked 18th in the world.
The winners of Euro receive a trophy, complete set of medals and prize money €100,000 out which 50% will go to the national football association who organised it.
Scottish Cup
The winners of this football competition will be awarded with a trophy and prize money which is £25,500 (€30700). In this tournament can compete only Scottish clubs from Scottish Premier League and the current champion is St. Johnstone F.C., which won it in 2016
The winners of Scottish Cup receive a trophy and prize money which is £25,500 (€30700). In this tournament can compete only Scottish clubs from the Scottish Premiership and the current champions are Rangers., which won it in 2020-2021 season
Scotland Challenge Cup
This one Scotland's oldest cup tournament for the teams who are not part of Scottish Professional Football League. The winner gets a "trophy" and a prize money of £5000 (€5800).
Conclusion
Football is quite a popular sport in Scotland and people like to watch it. As a result there is huge money behind the sport to keep it going.