Sky Sports announce new five year SPL deal
Despite the Armageddon stories put about by Neil Doncaster and others suggesting a 75% cut in broadcasting income without the Glasgow derby the satellite broadcaster has renewed it’s contract committing themselves to Scottish football until the 2018/19 season.
The new deal also includes five Sevco Third Division fixtures with the festive clash with Queens Park likely to be included.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports said: “We’ve supported Scottish football since we started, over 20 years ago, and have always wanted to continue that commitment.
“Our viewers will see the SPL for five more years and our schedule includes the opening league match for Celtic.
“We will also follow Rangers as they plot their way back to Scottish football’s top flight.
“Clubs now have certainty over their income and exposure across the UK and Ireland and we look forward to the new season.”
Sky already have a contract in place with the SFA for Scottish Cup fixtures and Scotland’s home international matches.
The new deal puts more pressure on Doncaster who was predicting doom and gloom as recently as July 16.
“As with any broadcaster or sponsor, they buy what they want,” he warned after Sevco were denied a First Division place.
“The Sport 5 overseas deal, like the Sky, ESPN and Clydesdale Bank deals, were negotiated before I arrived in 2009. That’s the reality. That’s the market.
“Having the Old Firm within what the SPL provided was clearly a key attraction for many of our partners. We will be working hard to discover what the commercial damage is.
“In terms of financial consequences, it’s important that we work intensively over the next few days and weeks to bring clarity for the benefit of our clubs.
“We plan to get the clubs together again on 10 August and hopefully we can let them know what they can expect in terms of distributions for the season.”
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