SPFL bet on China

Interesting development reported this morning by the BBC that the SPFL have sold rights to a Chinese broadcaster for around £500k per year.  With rights for major European leagues commanding premium fees, it seems intuitive that there’s space for lower-cost content, but Scottish football must be starting from a position of practically zero market knowledge in China.  Unless Zheng Zhi is a whole lot more popular than I realised.

The other aspect about China to bear in mind is the size and habits of its gambling market.  If you are a gambler, you don’t watch football for the thrill of following your favourite team, you watch for the opportunity to beat the bookie, and in this respect, Scottish football is as valuable as any league.

Sport’s relationship with gambling has been a source of concern, especially in the Scottish lower leagues, but when you look up your fixture list and see the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership, there’s no point getting precious about the influence Chinese gamblers.

I see the Bumblebee’s back!  This NB know how to push our buttons with the retro look.

I know around 100 of you have/can/will run a 10k or half marathon, and a few dozen have told me you’re signing up to do the Great Scottish Run for your Foundation.  You know what it’s about, Health, Education, Learning, Poverty – or in short, it’s about what Celtic means to you and me.

Time to get moving on it.  See the Foundation page here for details.  It’s in October, so there’s a good chance the rain will stop by then.  Let me know when you’ve signed up, celticquicknews@gmail.com

You don’t need to break records, you don’t even need to run the whole course, just get the trainers on and get out there, you’ll be glad you did.