Doncaster humiliated as SPFL apologises to Ibrox over Cinch sponsorship deal

The SPFL has issued a humiliating apology to the Ibrox Tribute Act to apparently end the dispute over the Cinch sponsorship of the four divisions.

Just before the start of the 2021/22 season Neil Doncaster was boasting about finally landing a sponsor for the SPFL with Cinch getting a four year contract for the same amount that they were paying Spurs to have their logo on the sleeve of their kit for one season.

The SPFL deal involved clubs in all four divisions wearing the cinch crest and providing pitchside and billboard advertising as well as promoting Cinch on their websites.

When the Ibrox club said No, Doncaster renegotiated another deal that forced the other 11 clubs to provide more coverage to Cinch to protect the hapless CEO of the SPFL.

Recently there has been threats from Ibrox over legal action against the SPFL, in trademark fashion they have caved in with a secret deal struck with the club founded in 2012 by Charles Green.

There is no mention of the new agreement on the SPFL website but BBC Scotland reports:

“The SPFL regrets any damage to the reputation of Rangers and Park’s as a result of the dispute,” said the SPFL.

“The SPFL has accepted that Rangers had a pre-existing contract with Park’s at the point that the SPFL entered into its title sponsorship contract with cinch in June 2021.

“All three parties have now agreed to withdraw the resulting Scottish FA arbitration, with the SPFL making a contribution to the costs of Rangers and Park’s. These sums will be donated to charity.”

SPFL Chairman Murdoch MacLennan added his apologies and regrets with no sign of £400,000/year Doncaster having anything to say.

I am particularly grateful for the constructive approach shown by all parties in helping resolve this long-running situation and am very happy to apologise if there has been any damage to the reputation of Rangers FC or Park’s of Hamilton.

Michael Nicholson is currently on the SPFL Board of Directors which consists of Doncaster (CEO), MacLennan (Chairman), Karyn McCluskey (non-executive), James MacDonald (Ross County), Les Gray (Hamilton Academical), Graeme Mathie (Ayr United), Alastair Donald (Forfar Athletic) and Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians).

Nicholson is expected to step aside for the new season with his business partner James Bisgrove joining the Board for 12 months.