The Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga have a huge new sponsor | OneFootball

The top two divisions in German football have added a big new sponsor and there is some controversy around the deal.

Tipico, a sports betting firm, has agreed a general sponsorship deal with Bundesliga International that runs until 2021.

Even though football betting is commonplace in Europe, it is not that usual for entire European leagues to have official betting partners.

Tipico are also awarded special privileges under the terms of the deal that will allow them to match certain sponsorship offers made to the Bundesliga by other companies in the future.

The move comes at a time when some, particularly in the UK, have called for greater separation between the football industry and sports betting.

But the Bundesliga have clearly taken the approach that the deal with Tipico is the right way forward for the league.