Furious Preston could ditch sponsor over Rooney deal



The role played by betting company 32Red in Derby County’s signing of Wayne Rooney has generated fierce debate, much of it rightly focusing on ethical issues.



But there is also a sporting angle and little has been known about how rival clubs with the same sponsor feel towards the situation. Derby have a “star player” clause in their 32Red contract which provides an extra £1.5 million in funding and can be used however the club wishes, including to help cover Rooney’s salary.



My colleague Daniel Taylor describes it as “a strange set-up”, particularly because there are three other Championship teams — Leeds United, Preston North End and Middlesbrough — who have endorsement deals with the same firm but do not benefit from the bonus that has been of such assistance to Derby.



“How would Leeds react, for example, if they were denied promotion at...