Bookies pay the price for Leicesters odd-defying title

Bookmakers were left counting the cost of Leicester's Premier League title win, with the Foxes priced at 5,000-1 outsiders at the start of the season.

Source: Getty Images

Stories have slowly emerged of those once optimistic punters who put the odd pound on their side to win the Premier League, in nothing but hope.

And now, that hope is returning riches.

Sky Bet said it had paid out a record $8.8 million to gamblers, saying it was an industry loser with 128 people backing City at the longest price.

Sky Bet's Sandro Di Michele said: "The unthinkable has become reality and we're facing a paying out the sort of liability that you joke about at the start of the season.

"We're now bracing ourselves for more punters looking to get on long-price outright odds, but Leicester certainly won't be 5,000/1 next season!"