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SPL reach TV deal with Sky and ESPN

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Published Date: 16 July 2009
THE Scottish Premier League's 12 clubs have agreed a £65million deal with Sky and ESPN to screen 60 live Clydesdale Bank Premier League games each season across the UK and Ireland.
The deal will last until the end of season 2011-12 with the SPL having an option to extend the deal for a further two seasons.

Lex Gold, chairman of the SPL, said: "We are pleased that in just over three weeks we have been able to strike this deal."

The league had been looking for an alternative broadcasting deal following the collapse of Setanta's UK operation. Last year Setanta agreed to pay £125m over four seasons to extend their deal with the SPL beyond 2010.

On today's announcement, Gold added: "Sky and ESPN are two of the biggest names in sport broadcasting and they will bring first-class production standards to the table.

"We are looking forward to working with both in the coming years to raise the profile of the SPL for the our clubs, fans and partners."

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said this week that he had been in discussions with Celtic about buying the broadcasting rights themselves.

However, a spokesman for the SPL said: "There was no alternative proposal brought forward by the Old Firm. We needed a vote of 8-4 and while we will not go into the exact voting, there was enough to secure the approval."

Gold was elected unanimously for the eleventh time as chairman of the Scottish Premier League. He indicated that the process of succession planning was under way and that he expected to stand down in the autumn. Stewart Gilmour of St Mirren was also elected following his nomination to form part of the six-man board of directors.

Gold, Stewart, and chief executive Neil Doncaster, will be joined by Rod Petrie (Hibernian), Duncan Fraser (Aberdeen) and Martin Bain (Rangers), who were all re-elected by the clubs to complete the SPL Board.

Campbell Christie (Falkirk) stepped down from the Board today after two years' service.

Gold said: "On behalf of the board and the clubs I would like to thank Campbell for his time and valued input during his term."

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 16 July 2009 12:59 PM
  • Source: scotsman.com
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: SPL troubles , BskyB
 
1

Rolland,

16/07/2009 12:53:16
Good, glad we won't be getting bigot TV.
2

radge dug,

16/07/2009 12:56:37
Aye, puts paid to bigot TV!

Can they still silence the songs though?
3

,

16/07/2009 12:58:16
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

Rixy boy,

16/07/2009 12:59:27
Wonder hows its gonna work,

will we have to buy 2 packages
5

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 13:07:32
Excellent.........bye bye bigots.
6

Gorgie Gorgie,

EDINBURGH 16/07/2009 13:08:59
Any idea re kick off times?

Midnight on a Saturday? 1pm on a Monday?
7

Pride Eh The Captal!,

16/07/2009 13:11:59
"We needed a vote of 8-4 and while we will not go into the exact voting, there was enough to secure the approval."

So the voting would have been 10-2 then in other words.

Glad the bigots didn't get there hands on raping our games aswell as our clubs.

The quality of picture of the games will be significently better.

5. I think SKY and ESPN will come to a deal that will allow Sky Sports subscribers to include ESPN to there original Sports channels imo.
8

Angoos,

Baku, Azerbaijan 16/07/2009 13:12:51
It's nice to see the "wee" teams supporters are happy to take scraps from anyone's table.

Will be interesting to see what happens when the current deal runs out.

Perhaps teams will be allowed to sell their OWN TV rights ??

Where will all the "wee" teams be then ?
9

Pretzel Logic,

16/07/2009 13:18:40
Will they broadcast overseas?
10

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 13:35:32
#11 ...said without a hint of sour grapes.

Imagine what the OFTV opening credits would have looked like. Split blue/green screen, some "famous Irish folk tunes" in the background, the Hampden & Manchester riots hightlights, Glasgae A&E stats after a derby......would have been class.
11

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 13:41:38
Assuming the vacuous have finished venting, we appear now to have a deal approximately 2/3 the value of the original Setanta one.

Wonder which chairmen voted for Setanta over Sky to begin with.
12

Pride Eh The Captal!,

16/07/2009 13:42:56
14.

Section G aswell mate, always the ones signing eh, can you mind against Aberdeen we won 4-0 getting Banksy to swing on the bar? class!
13

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 13:47:52
#15 does it matter? what's done is done. The Sky/ESPN deal was of greater value than the OF one. Cant understand why OF thought for a moment the other clubs would accept.
14

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 13:49:32
# 14
I do, then remember him getting a pasting from the gaffer (whoever it was then, Valdas i think.)
15

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 13:53:11
17
Whats the script?

"What's done is done" easily translates to lack of foresight.

For the record, I'm glad the 'OFTV' proposal didnt happen.
16

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 13:58:46
There was a lack of foresight, i dont dispute that.
My point was there's nothing that can be done about it now.
17

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 14:04:53
20
Whats the script?

I agree, the bed is made.

Hope Motherwell, Killie etc can afford to run their undersoil heating. At least we're shot of Scott Booth.
18

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 14:09:46
A question for the wee diddy teams supporters.

How much do you think would be on the table without Celtic and Rangers? I suspect nothing, or a couple of Bob for a guy sending video using his mobile phone.

Not only do your clubs hinder Celtic and Rangers from attaining what can only be classed as their fair share of the TV revenue pie, you have the brassnecks to complain about it as well. Celtic and Rangers´ proposal would have given you far more than what by any objective measure would be your fair "slice of the pie"

If you disagree, tell me why you think Celtic and Rangers should subisise Falkirk or Hearts. The only valid point is by doing so it benefits Celtic by providing stiffer opposition, nothing else.

Like it or not, is is the size and the rivalry of the Glasgow rivals that has made Scottish football a far far more attractive propostion for broadcasters than in comarably sized countries such as Ireland, Austria, Denmark. Go see how much clubs get there before you all start your ungrateful whining.

19

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 14:27:59
It appears I may have been generous with my 2/3 of what the Setanta one was. According to the BBC the £65m deal is over 5 years ie £13m per year with an option after 3 years.

£13m divided by 12 teams. Tough times ahead for some.
20

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 14:28:36
23

No doubt, but their share would still have been more than their contribution to the offering.

And that system. It is a bit like Luxembourg, Lichenstein, Andorra, San Marino, Malta, Gibraltar, The Vatican City, being able to veto the will of Germany and The U.K.
21

scotnotbrit,

langlees 16/07/2009 14:29:18
the diddy teams have sold themselves cheap , although what they got for it is more than the rubbish they serve up is worth , exactly who in their right mind would pay to see motherwell v falkirk ? the sooner the ONLY teams that have a saleable product negotiate their own deals the quicker the diddy teams will learn just who has been keeping them afloat year on year decade on decade . the audience in both scotland and engerland will be tuning in to see the old firm ,who thinks sky would be interested in the poor fare that can be expected from the diddy teams
22

numpty,

Dublin 16/07/2009 14:32:22
"How much do you think would be on the table without Celtic and Rangers? I suspect nothing, or a couple of Bob for a guy sending video using his mobile phone."

And that would suit most of us just fine. A return to Saturday 3pm kick-offs, bringing players through the ranks instead of buying foreign diddies on inflated salaries, and starting each season on a predictable financial footing rather than wondering which TV company is going to go belly up this year.
23

Edinburgh's Big Team,

EH11 16/07/2009 14:41:58
£13m per year - shocking deal but probably all its worth.

The SFA / SPL have a lot to answer for allowing our game to decline the way it has. 2 clubs have been allowed to prosper through an unlawful and uncivilised bigotry that has gone on unpunished. The same 2 teams therefore develop a disproportionate financial advantage, receive preferential refereeing decisions and are allowed to cream of other teams young talent at pittance.

Then complain of no competition and demand more TV money than the rest.

Only in Scotland
24

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 14:57:53
#28. Bang on
It is because we have amateurs like Gold & Smith in such high positions.
It's like certain sectors of business you get the job because of what school you went to. It's the same in football - depends on the team you played for or support.
25

Edinburgh's Big Team,

EH11 16/07/2009 15:10:03
Agreed, if these people were employed elsewhere their record would not stand up - they would be ousted quickly. Our game is run by certain people for its own.
26

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 15:29:10
27
Fair enough if you want Scottish football to exist in a backwater going the way of the likes of Hungar.

28. What "unlawful bigotry" do you referin the case of Celtic? IS that they myth that Celtic is as bad as Rangers, peddled ironically by supporters of other Scottish teams who have routinely booed Aiden McGeady for his Irishness (ergo RC), booed the minute´s silence for the Pope, give James McCarthy pelters (ala McGeady). Gees peace
27

Oh Vienna,

16/07/2009 15:39:55
How, pray tell, have the SPL settled for less?

Setanta's deal was 125 million over 4 seasons = 31.25M per season.

The Sky/ESPN deal is 65M over 3 seasons = 31.67M per season.

I think some of you need to go back to school, or attempt to put your OF bias to one side before slagging off what is a good deal.

I dread to think what the OF would have been offering. Maybe they'll now go off in the huff to England...

...oops, sorry, I forgot they're not wanted down there.
28

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 15:44:54
65m/3 is not 31.67, it is 21.67.

There seems to be some spin or confusion- is it 21.67m per season for three years with an option to extend for 2 at the same rate; or is it 65m for 5, with an option to pull out after 3 giving only 39m
29

cabbage on tayside,

16/07/2009 15:52:24
22: I read the comments that you had written. I then closed my eyes and reviewed your comments. The voices I heard in my head were a mixture of Maggie Thatcher and Adolf Hitler. If it was not for the wee diddy teams you would not exist. The idea of the bigot brothers migrating south is a non starter. Why ? You are not wanted and you are not required. Try and be civil to your near neighbours as without us you are nothing.
30

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 16:00:08
you tail me dog
31

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 16:08:52
32
Oh Vienna

This means nothing to me, or indeed anyone that's even average at sums.

The deal is:

5 years x £13m = £65m with an escape option after 3 years.

Drunk early the day then?
32

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 16:13:37
So in summation; the chairmen who voted for the fledgling Setanta over the established Sky for the sake of a few extra grand a year are now short of £1m from their yearly projected budgets.

But go ahead and blame Celtic and Rangers.

33

Whats the script?,

Wheatfield G 16/07/2009 16:27:36
No one is really blaming Celtic & Rangers. It is just no one wanted them calling the shots re TV coverage.


In saying that, I blame Celtic & Rangers.
34

Mal,

16/07/2009 16:34:39
#36: That is according to the BBC. The SPL website state it as it is in this article.
"At today’s AGM, the clubs agreed a £65 million deal with Sky and ESPN to screen 60 live Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches each season across the UK and Ireland.

The deal will last until the end of season 2011/12 with the SPL having an option to extend for a further two seasons."

That says that the deal is £65m and is for 3 years. So £21.6m/ year.
35

Gerry M,

16/07/2009 16:40:00
39

That is still ambiguous to me. Is the deal only 65m if they opt for the 2 extra years or is it for the 3 years. In the latter case it would be worth around 108m over 5 years (unless you are that Vienna guy in which case it is a whopping 158m over 5 years)
36

Mal,

16/07/2009 16:48:15
#40
I agree that it could turn out to be £65m for 5 years and it needs clarified before we can state with confidence that it is one or the other (as #36 does).

As the official statemet says the 'deal' is £65m and the 'deal' lasts until 11/12, I would argue that reads as £21m/year. However, that assumes that whoever wrote it is using language in a very logical sense, which may not be the case.
37

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 17:01:45
38
Whats the script?

Haha, yes well I'll agree with you on that, seein as you got the correct order when saying "Celtic & Rangers".

For what it's worth, when it comes to SPL TV revenue, I think equity is fairest. Pity there's not much to share.

38

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 17:07:16
41

Pretty certain it is 13x5 Mal although the article above is as clear as mud. 13x5 was the offer before Murray started bumpin his gums so if it was now 21x3 thats a huge (unheralded) improvement.
39

Rosscobhoy,

16/07/2009 17:08:39
Bigot TV? I didn't realise Hearts and Aberdeen had a bid in.
40

Kirrie_Tim,

16/07/2009 17:21:31
44
Rosscobhoy

Aberdeen are not bigotted.

Anyway, according to Dr Death, only us, our dear neighbours and Aberdeen voted against the Setanta deal.

Dr Death is not very happy it seems.

http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_160709160858.aspx
41

Jambo Dave,

Edinburgh 16/07/2009 17:22:21
The arrogance shown by the majority of the Glasgow teams scummie supporters is breath taking but not surprising.One of them has a large support who can not be trusted out at night without trashing the city centre they happen to be in at the time.They want to play in the EPL btw because they think they are English!!!!
The other lot think they are Irish and fly the flag of that country at there ground which is on match day is turned into an Irish theme park, music and all.They also strangly want to play in England also.I cant understand this because they sing about the good old days when the gangs over there killed there own women and bairns with bombs.
Now they want the diddy teams to think this is healthy and we should follow there lead to boost our gates and get more TV money.
Well let me tell you boys you can keep your big grounds and gate money Im happy to take the small victorys when they come along for my team and support a club that was formed for football reasons thank you.
JT for life.
42

scotnotbrit,

the wheatsheaf dodgin the bams 16/07/2009 17:44:55
all the clovenhoof juniors , bleating about sectarianism , the cheek of it ! you are not keech cos of rangers and celtic , naw thats not it . lack of consistent support , lack of football passion , just lacking , thats more the reason you are consistently also rans , lets face it , the old firm carries the rest and always have
43

,

16/07/2009 17:51:00
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
44

Steve G,

Sheffield 16/07/2009 17:57:23
I'm glad some are happy at this deal. Much less cash for SPL clubs. And if you want to see all the televised matches? Maybe £18 extra on your Sky (if you haven't got Sports already) plus £9.99 for the extra ESPN channel. Or £12.99 for the new channel if you don't get Sky but then you don't get the OF matches. Oh, and no Celtic or Rangers TV either. Excellent. Highlights on BBC Scotland for me I think.
45

BatmaFoaby,

Edinburgh 16/07/2009 19:07:54
This should be totally boycotted.

Last season there were around 300,000 Setanta sibscribers in Scotland, paying nearly £40M in subscriptions, £14M of which went to the clubs.

Now Scottish football fans are being asked to pay more than 3 times more and the clubs will get less, and none of this counts the advertising revenue which the TV companies will earn.

We have been victims of a cartel agreement, and forced to agree by badly run clubs and weak chairmen who don't have the guts to recognise that they are being raped and tell Sky & ESPN to stick it.

Don't pay Sky, don't pay ESPN. Go to the game, go to the pub or other free access and put any money for football directly into your club.

The SPL may have lost out, but it's really YOU who's getting totally ripped off here. Refuse to cooperate.

 

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