Michael Stewart hits out at SPFL telly deal with Sky Sports
General Sport - Leaders Sport Summit 2012 - Stamford Bridge - 11/10/12 (From left to right) Karen Espelund, Executive Committee Member of UEFA, Neil Doncaster, chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Premier league and Heather Rabbatts, Non-Executive Director of The FA during a talk called "Governance: Are you serious?" Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul Childs Livepic
Michael Stewart has slammed the myopic SPFL over their five year telly deal with Sky Sports.
No figures were mentioned but it’s believed that the broadcaster is paying around £33m/year to secure the rights to live coverage of the Scottish game.
Very disappointing to see @btsportfootball losing a presence in Scottish football. The new deal means there will be 12 league games less shown.
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 19, 2018
I see the English Championship League 1 & League 2 have signed a big bumper deal over £500m ???????????????
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 19, 2018
Not sure how wise it was to do the tv deal bidding process while one of the two main companies involved doesn’t have a CEO!
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 19, 2018
Not a great start. Hopefully this myopic view can be improved and expanded in the years to come….. pic.twitter.com/zvC2yVs1o9
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 19, 2018
Stewart’s views were echoed across social media as fans of various clubs criticised the new deal.
In normal circumstances a 50% hike in broadcasting fees should be applauded but it wouldn’t be hard to improve on the worst deal ever negotiated.
Agreeing to a five year contract effectively wipes out any future competition for telly rights and confirms the Scottish game as a minor filler in the Sky Sports schedule.
The new contract hands Sky 48 live matches per season plus coverage of the Premiership play-offs.
With four international breaks per season the new contract will provide two live matches most weeks.
It’s not known if the new deal will include more Celtic home matches with the current contract limited to just four home matches per season being shown live.