A new study by sponsorship agency, IEG, has revealed the total sponsorship rights fee revenue for the NFL and its clubs has reached US$1.8 billion (AUD$2.5 billion) in the 2021/22 season.

Overall, the revenue the league and its clubs brought in grew 12% year-on-year, with the league itself recording a growth of 23% without consideration of its clubs.

Notably, technology sponsorships provided the most sponsorship revenue for the league and its clubs, followed by sportsbooks, casinos, and lottery sponsorships, alcoholic beverages, telecommunications, and automotive brands to round out the top five.

The report suggested sportsbooks, casinos, and lottery companies is expected to be the leading sponsorship spending sector in the league in the near future as the US continues to legalise sports betting and more clubs secure sponsorships in this category.

Discussing the findings of the study, IEG global managing director, Peter Laatz, said there are a number of emerging sectors that could soon find their way into the top five rankings, including cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, specialty healthcare, and spirits.

“Opening new official partnership categories has provided the NFL an opportunity to bring incremental sponsorship rights fee revenue to the sport,” Laatz said.

“In the coming year, teams should be picking up the pace of sponsorship growth through the new international home marketing rights opening global opportunities,” he said.

To find out more about how the NFL’s new international home marketing rights offering will see the league’s clubs experience global growth, see Ministry of Sport’s recent coverage.