Rangers’ resistance to the SPFL’s controversial Sky Sports TV deal is set to be quashed as the nation’s authorities are accused of moving the goalposts to circumnavigate the Ibrox side’s dissatisfaction.
The Gers stood as the only opposition to the much-maligned deal which will sell the Scottish football broadcasting rights to Sky until 2029.
Under the terms of the revised deal, Scottish clubs will earn around £30m per season over five years with minimal improvement from the current deal, which runs until 2024.
Rangers have been clear they believe the current SPFL directorate is “underselling” the game in Scotland even before the details of this contract became public with Stewart Robertson reiterating this during the international break.
Robertson claimed that the proposed deal would put Scottish clubs at a disadvantage on the European stage [Rangers Review].
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack had responded to this suggestion by defending the deal and claimed that it is the best Scottish clubs can expect in the current climate.
The outspoken Dons chief also took aim at comments from Robertson which mentioned the TV deal in Sweden in comparison to the Scottish equivalent.
Cormack also argued that by screening more matches it would “cannibalise” season ticket sales [Aberdeen].
Rangers had originally abstained from the vote on the new deal due to a high-profile clash with the SPFL surrounding the cinch sponsorship contract.
The SPFL are currently paying the Gers as part of the cinch arrangement despite the fact Rangers don’t have to promote the deal due to a commercial clash with Park’s Motor Group.
Rangers are said to be demanding an apology for the SPFL’s handling of the situation with the Ibrox side insistent the members’ body ignored the fact the deal with cinch clashed with their own retail operations.
SPFL rule change helps overcome Rangers TV deal resistance
Initially, Rangers’ resistance had blocked the SPFL’s route to signing the deal but after lobbying to change the rules to ensure only an 11-1 vote was needed, the new TV deal will pass.
SPFL chairman Murdoch McLennan thanked member clubs for their co-operation in ushering in the rule change which facilitated the move.
“I am pleased to be able to advise you that the Commercial Resolution in respect of the proposal from Sky has now been approved by cinch Premiership Clubs and that the Qualified Resolution amending the SPFL Rules (to accommodate the Sky proposal) has also been approved,” said MacLennan.
“Thank you for your support of this important rule change. The extended contract with Sky will underpin the finances of the SPFL for the next seven years, in the face of what appear to be strengthening economic headwinds.
“Over the coming days, we will look to contract with Sky and to announce the extension, which, by value, will be by far the largest single commercial contract in the history of Scottish league football.”
The news has led to leading Rangers fan media outlet Heart & Hand accusing the SPFL of “changing the rules” to get around the Ibrox side’s frustration with their governance.
It’s clear that Rangers and the current directorate of the SPFL remain at loggerheads and this is the latest battle in an ongoing boardroom war which shows no signs of slowing.
Ultimately, without common sense and diplomacy it’s the nation’s game that misses out and objectively, this TV deal undersells the product on offer in Scotland when compared with similar nations.
Rangers have a point here, and whilst the other member clubs look for long-term security with this deal, the short sighted-ness of the entire thing promises to hold the game back rather than propel it forward.
Meanwhile, here are the three former Rangers players who’ve lifted the World Cup.
