Traditionally the league had a two divisional structure (Divisions One and Two) between which clubs were promoted and relegated at the end of each season.
[4] This decision was fuelled by a desire by the top clubs in Scotland to control more of the revenue generated by the game and to negotiate its contracts with sponsors and broadcasters.
A review, led by former First Minister of Scotland Henry McLeish, was conducted by the Scottish Football Association and its report was published in December 2010.
[9] McLeish recommended that Scottish football should have a single league body and that the top flight should be reduced to 10 clubs.
[18] The merger was criticised by Alex Anderson of When Saturday Comes as bringing further uncertainty to Scottish football, holding the belief that the semi-professional clubs in the lower divisions will be put into a future regional structure.
Neil Doncaster became the SPFL's first Chief Executive in July 2013, after beating David Longmuir to the role.
[18][25][26] In October 2013, the SPFL announced a partnership with Irn-Bru, making it the league's official soft drink.
After a year without a title sponsor, the SPFL reached a five-year deal with used car marketplace company Cinch.
[18] It emerged in May 2014 that the SPFL had repaid part of the agreed contract due to the additional costs incurred by the broadcasters in covering Rangers matches at lower division grounds.
[31] In September 2015, the SPFL announced that it had extended its agreements with Sky and BT to the end of the 2019–20 season on "improved terms".
[35] In February 2022, a majority of clubs in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) voted to accept an offer from the SPFL to run their competitions.