Neil Doncaster has claimed that the Ibrox Tribute Act are in favour of the new Sky Sports broadcasting deal but have used it to drive for costs over their dispute over the cinch sponsorship deal.
Almost a year after getting cinch to sponsor all four divisions of the SPFL, Doncaster had to renegotiate the package without one significant club. Eleven top flight clubs had to give over increased coverage to the car sales firm while the Ibrox club had a space on their sleeve to sell plus additional pitchside and backing board slots to sell.
Typical of Doncaster he moved the goalposts on the cinch deal rather than deal with and punish the club in breach of the rules.
Having stood firm and got their way, with the back up of the Five Way Agreement, the Ibrox club has been pushing to have their costs reimbursed but unusually Doncaster has stood firm on this issue
Covering his carefully scripted Q and A with Doncaster, Keith Jackson reports:
The SPFL’s own rule book had to be ripped up to allow the 11 other top flight clubs to push the deal through without Rangers’ approval. And Doncaster confirmed that Rangers were willing to agree to the new seven year broadcast tie-up – on the condition they received an apology and a cash pay out from the league governing body over an ongoing dispute with title sponsors cinch. He said: “Yes, it is the case.”
It remains to be seen whether the Ibrox club will challenge the Sky Sports deal or Doncaster’s claim that they are in favour of the extended contract.
Just think of the amount of Duck Tape the tribute act had to buy though ! Must have cost a small fortune ?