Congratulations to SPL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, who delivered a remarkable increase in the league’s TV deal with Sky and ESPN; £80m for five years until 2017. The one concession he had to trade, was the possibility that he had to subjugate the link between sporting meritocracy and the commercial imperative.
When news of the deal broke yesterday a Rangers fan was quick to suggest that Sky and ESPN would not have bid on such terms if they had any doubt Rangers would survive in the league, however, later details emerged to prove the exact opposite. The entire deal is dependent on a clause assuring Celtic play Rangers four times each season. If Rangers were eliminated from the league, or even if they failed to earn enough points after an administration penalty to finish in the top six after 33 games, the TV deal becomes invalid.
While this clause was crucial in Doncaster getting his deal it does nothing for the sporting integrity of the competition. It has been five years since Rangers finished outside the top two in the league but if they go into administration, or worse, a fire sale of assets and a point deduction is likely.
The league has now introduced a contractual ceiling on whatever penalty would be applied to a financially deviant club, irrespective of the offense. Doncaster will now also set off to find a sponsor to replace Clydesdale Bank, promising the TV exposure his deal with Sky and ESPN provides. By extension, not only will TV income be dependent on four Celtic-Rangers games per season, so too will league sponsorship income.
Can you imagine the goings-on if Rangers enter next season in administration, with a 10-point deduction and a skeleton squad? Beating Rangers, making it less likely for them to reach the top six, could cost each team in the league millions. Clubs have a clear incentive to ensure Rangers are in no danger of finishing outside the top six.
Neil Doncaster, who is likely to be financially incentivised to deliver TV money, is a member of the SPL board who would decide whether or not to admit a prepack company into the league in the event of an existing club failure. His partiality would be compromised by this deal, so too would other board members from clubs without the liquidity to cope without TV or sponsor income.
While TV broadcasters have a clear financial incentive to lobby for whatever it takes to keep Rangers buoyant, the financial incentives will touch everyone with their snout in the trough, and that includes non-TV media and referees.
This is a dreadful deal as it inserts a clause which compromises the sporting integrity of the competition. Can you imagine giving the team talk to a club, safe from relegation, about to face a Rangers team needing a win on game 33? What about the referee who makes a mistake in Rangers favour, late in the season, under similar circumstances? How would Sky, ESPN and others frame the debate in the event of Rangers going into administration?
I can understand why Sky and ESPN want clause, but the rest of us might as well chuck it.
1,088 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 26
- »
Dontbrattbakkinanger says:
22 November, 2011 at 14:51
They have lampposts?? :-)
the long wait is over says:
22 November, 2011 at 14:38
Cup games do not count as one cup is the remit of the SFL and the other the SFA, neither is the SPL
Paddy Gallagher, in the warm November sunshine is was all delightful :-)
Honest Mistake, no.
philvisreturns, that’s the one.
The Hat, yes, which is the point I anticipate.
Kojo, parts of what attaches to Celtic needs Rangers, although those parts would protest hugely, but the parts I am keen to retain have no such dependency. We would be a smaller, healthier club.
Voguepunter, dirtymac, erm, no.
Paul67
What are the main reasons for your suspicion that the decision regarding sporting integrity will be fudged?
The good folk of Ayrshire decide that the mad giant tortoise of doom is probably Papish and bring out the spears.
We need to face and confront the truth before we can deal with an issue.
There are only two yeams in Scotland.
Celtic and Rangers’ season ticket revenue combined exceeds that of all the other teams together.
Rangers have not yet been found guilty of any wrongdoing in their tax affairs.
Sky and the SPL can only announce contracts based on the prevailing conditions.
The legal eagles will no doubt have penalty clauses inserted to take care of the unknown.
IF and WHEN Rangers receive their just desserts then we can execute whatever plans the board have to protect Celtic’s revenue streams.
Until the tribunal reports all we can do is to support the team on the park and ensure we are in a position to capitalise on Rangers’ demise.
There is no point in hand wringing or blaming the board. This is a time to plan and sow seeds for the future.
‘GG
There are only two yeams in Scotland.
As well as only two teams
‘GG
I remember getting a running text-ual commentary from DBBIA as he headed Glasgow-wards through the darklands of Ayrshire from the not-quite-so-dark-more-like-twilight D & G. His condemnation of the various places (and his laughter implied in the texts with regard to their names) as the iron horse briskly left them behind was a joy to receive.
Never did see any photos though, perhaps his mobile trim-phone’s camera feature was inoperable?
Cluyr
it’s pathetic how little we are doing as a club to get out of this joke of a league we call SPL.
dirtymac – Is Hogwarts a Catholic school?
I thought the left footer wizards sent their kids to St. John Bosco’s. (thumbsup)
Anybody got any recommendations for dvd box sets for xmas= thriller/drama/cop stuff only
jungle1967 says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:03
Sons of Anarchy is amazing.
Boardwalk Empire is panning out quite well after 5 or 6 episodes.
Mad Men if you haven’t already done that.
lets say celtic football club decided to call it a day here in scotland,what would the implactions be.
jockcfc says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:02
What are we supposed to do?
Paul67 22 November, 2011 at 14:55:
Good to hear.
Anything interesting happening down Ayrshire way then?
Any articles brewing?
philvisreturns says:
22 November, 2011 at 14:26
Eek!
jungle1967 says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:03
Anybody got any recommendations for dvd box sets for xmas= thriller/drama/cop stuff only
Harry potter completed film set 8 disc special !
Ylurc- meant to say earlier rowies would be most acceptable, thanks.
philvisreturns says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:02
dirtymac – Is Hogwarts a Catholic school?
I thought the left footer wizards sent their kids to St. John Bosco’s. (thumbsup)
……………..
Its John Bosco RC, no St in the title.
Jungle 67 – Chuck is the best series around at the moment, spy drama/comedy/pop culture/seriously sexy women combined, don’t miss it.
Pheersy – ‘John Reid- Celtic Legned ‘
Always Top Cat. From Wikipedia (the fount of all cat-related knowledge):
“In the United Kingdom, the show was first aired on BBC television (now called BBC One) but renamed Boss Cat shortly after it premiered in 1962 because Top Cat was also the name of a brand of cat food. The dialogue and theme tune still referred to the character by his original name but a small cut was made in the opening credits (resulting in a slight ‘jump’ in the film) and a title card added before the episode proper. The new name was last used for a repeat run in 1989; by the time the series was next aired in 1999 the ‘Top Cat’ food brand had long since disappeared, allowing the original title to be used. This continues to be the case in the showings on Boomerang and BBC Two.”
Susan Boyle video, Don’t you wish your Girlfriend was hot like me;
To re-iterate what James Forrest wrote earlier.
When the shoe was on the other foot in 1994 and only Fergus saved Celtic,
did any institution help Celtic like the SPL are guaranteeing Rangers future now?
HMRC or not!….and worse would Murray have helped Celtic ?
For every fiver a tenner.
Page podium!
Philvis – how are you coping with your recent podium failures?
Why abandon ship when we are still afloat?
There really is no issue until/when the huns go under.
Then we’ll see!
philvisreturns says:
22 November, 2011 at 14:48
Now, I’m a stalwart defender of independent schools
You must have been a St Ambrose fellow rather than a Columba Chap – then?
Play
My dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Jist Joe Fillipi
Pal..
Ah am Quite content the way things are ..going.
The Status Quo..
Sounds.. A wee bit.. aff ..disn’t it.. ??
Howevahh..
We must face the facts..
We luv tae watch the Bhoys.. but..
We also Luv tae be Constantly UNDER THE COSH!!
Celtic fans.. Relish tae Fight the Odds.. tae Come fae Behind//
The Grand Stand Finish!
And Don’t deny it…
Celtic Fans.. just Luv ..
The Taste of
BITTER SWEETNESS!
And So Dae Ah..
Ah dinna like the Bitter..
And Ah wid Soon get.. Awfy Scunnered..
If awe Ah tasted wiz…
Cloying Sweetness..
Every thing in the Gairden is Rosy.. is No Ma Idea of
Seat of the Pants… Clutching ENTERTAINMENT..
Fur Ma Entertainment…
Ah want real.. Cliff Hingers…
Wull We or Wunt we?.. stuff..
and..
Fur that ..kinda Entertainment .. Under the Present Circumstances..in the
S.P.L..
We need a Strong..
and
HATED.. And DESTESTED.. RIVAL..
And
Well. we Goat Wan o’ Them…
Hiv we EVAH!!!
So…
Like Ah said…
Ah am quite..
JOCOSE Wit the Present SET UP.
Kojo
yer pal….who likes ye aloater.
The Hat says:
22 November, 2011 at 14:43
………………..
Well said.
V
Kojo. Rubbish.
Paul67 et al
So, we will have to put up with the SPL as is for the next six years. Mid-day kick-offs on Saturdays and Sundays, playing the likes of Motherwell four times a season so that Sky can show four “Old Firm”, (could be New Firm) matches, at mid-day on Saturdays and Sundays.
“But it has never been feasible to have 16, 18 or 20 because you automatically mean going to one home game and one away.” No, that would never work, which is why the football world slavishes follows the SPL model. Doncaster believes, based on what I am not sure, that an expanded SPL would “take £20m out of Scottish football”. Really? Some of us might argue that a return to more games being played between more local rivals at three o clock on a Saturday afternoon would perhaps offer a more interesting league than the one we have now. And more sustainable. The SPL is a busted flush, two of it’s bigger clubs are on the verge of oblivion and at least two others are not far behind. This crisis provided a perfect opportunity, a perfect storm if you like, for Celtic FC to offer a different model than the present failed one, an opportunity which Celtic PLC has singularly failed to grasp. The present contract has 18 months to run, more than enough time to look at any number of ideas for Celtic, for the SPL and for Scottish football in general. But no, our board is quite content to be one of a parcel of rogues selling out every Scottish and Irish Celtic supporter for personal gain. Enjoy your Sunday morning trips to Ibrox Dermot!
Lads as I always say the Celtic support are very powerful and the only way to wreck Scottish football is bhoycott away grounds it’s the only way they will listen and ut must be done now before it’s to late.
Margaret McGill says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:12
The increase in the SKY contract will no more guarantee Rangers future than the existing one did.
jungle1967 says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:03
The Sopranos
Breaking Bad
The Wire
The Shield
In that order.
Are you referring to the existing contract or the existing Rangers?
Sir Paul
Thanks fur the Reply.. Kiddo..
Hmmmmmmm
Anyway..
Ah Believe that although,the Present S.P.L Set up… is No awe that Ah wid Wish fur .. Ah must concede that Ah am quite Satisfied wi the Present Set Up..
Fur… Keeping in Mind that
Wan Never gets jist Exactly which Wan .. Wishes He or She HID.
That’s Life.
In ither Words…
Be thankful fur Small Mercies..
As Ma wise Uncle Moishe.. Says .. with a Shrug..
” COULD BE WOISE!!”.
Kojo
Ayrshire delights surely include the following –
Seamill Hydro.
Bobby Lennox hoose
Roy Aitkens school.
Jimmy McGrorys seaside abode (in ayr i think ?).
Irvine CSC
Ayr Nine In a Row club.
anymore ?
oh and McCabes in Largs,and Nardinis ice cream.
jungle1967 says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:03
Dexter is compulsive viewing, especially the orinal series.
‘GG
Much as I would love to see them go under and into oblivion it would be a short term high and no replacement for the regular highs of giving them a right gubbing. Celtic also need them for the money it generates or we will be left adrift in the doldrums.