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.
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Abu Dhabi XI lose, with qualification for the knockout phase of the CL no longer in their own hands
Man Utd drop to 2nd in their group and look very likely to stay in that position after the final round of games in 2 weeks, with Benfica only needing a win against Otelul at home to go through as group winners
EPL best league in the world?
Dream on
THE EXILED TIM says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:41
PaddyG
Well this evening I hope.
Still can’t see any fit lassies dealing cards mind you :>)
*******************
The Chevalier Casino in Hope Street in the good old days…:-)))
Ten Men
The EPL is no even the best league in england
Celtic_First
really wish I had not said I would read a restaurant review.
keep well
hamiltontim says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:28
The worst thing he could have – that ‘in principle’ it was a good idea.
Its everything about the ‘principle’ which makes it the opposite
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!! Tick Tock !! says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:35
It’s important to remember that nobody in the public domain has seen the clauses, so it’s not correct for anyone to state precisely what they mean. It could just as easily be a statement that the maximum value of the deal is based on their being 4 Glasgow derbies.
I fail to see how it could mean anything else for any season where Rangers start the season in the SPL? In any standard season you wouldn’t know until halfway through the season who’s likely to be in the top or bottom half of the table.
Even with a stripped down team I think it’s highly unlikely Rangers would ever be outside the top 6. Although I accept that it might present an issue where the team in 5th could guarantee Rangers finishing 6th, and get themselves more more by losing the last game before the split.
As Paul67 suggests perhaps the greater source of worry is what might happen in the event of NewCo coming straight back into the SPL.
Not had a chance to read the blog – been away over the weekend. Heard a rumour today that Broonie is off to Wolves in the next window. News to break on Friday.
Sorry if this has already been posted.
Starryhope
PaddyG
Been a while since I was in a casino, one in Aberdeen mid 90’s if I recall, had 200 each the wife and I, she had lost the lot within 20 mins, kept bugging me for chips every time I won anything, she would lose it and straight back for more, my 200 lasted for about 3 hours, I reckon I would have won if I had been allowed to concentrate…aye in my dreams, it was good fun though, no so bad when you don’t mind loosing.
Truth_Beauty_and_Freedom
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON………WE WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM ….THEY BHAVE DESTROYED SCOTTISH FOOTBALL……….THIS NEWS, AND THE SPONSORSHIP NONSENSE, IS FECKIN’ INCREDIBLE…….WHAT ARE OUR BOARD THINKING ABOUT…!!!????
Goodnight all, thanks for the company..
Was in Cairo at a trade show Friday to Sunday. Got back yesterday and thankfully didn’t get caught up in the riots. We planned to go to downtown Cairo for dinner on Saturday night but got talked out of it – just as well as that’s when it all kicked off.
Big mate in the office (a blue nose) emailed me “U guys still in cairo? Looks similar to a rangers european trip on the tv!”
Starryhope
Evening Celts, good film on itv2 tonight at 11:15 – Bucket List.
Mr Z did you see my post and video of the Legia Warsaw fans?
V
EWO,
in principal friendlies are a good idea, thats it :o)
RanchoFranco at 2141
If that post was aimed at me then you are one of the people I am questioning. You really should get out more. If not me humble apologies.
Hail Hail
TET,
aye its no the winning its the taking part :oD)))
Starryhope- any fee mate? We would be doing well to get around £1mil IMO.
So here’s where I see it…
The current TV deal means that Celtic and Them must play at least 4 times a season on Sky. This means that Celtic and Them must always be in the top 6 no matter what results happen. If this does not happen the other teams may be tempted to assist this for their own financial benefit. The sporting ethic of the league will be fatally compromised. This situation is against all competition laws, how can bookmakers operate with this, they are a big lobby in the football world. You can throw out any UEFA or FIFA rules in such a league. Any team in the League can take another to court if they know that results are being gerrymandered and they may be relegated for it.
This TV deal as it is being presented is illegal.
Starry @21.51
Your mate is obviously a ‘Blue Nose’ but not a Hun. We all have these mates!
TET I have gave my lady more chips in an hour than the Blue Lagoon could fry!! :-)
5 years ago this week Naka scored that free kick v Man U,scary how far we have fell in a short time.
Zbyszek – if you’re still on, I hope that life isn’t too stressful just now. Sorry to hear that you won’t be in BB’s! ;-)
Not bad line up on Jools, just starting on Beeb 2.
T4
weeminger says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:47
How ya doing pal.
Apologies for using stronger than necessary language last week.
Was caught between cranky baby and typing – so ended up trying to get point across as quickly and abruptly as poss and went ott.
No harm intended.
canamalar
When you go into a casino you lose, so aye the taking part is as good as it gets :>)
PaddyG
Women and chips, god love them :>)
!!Bada Bing!! says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:58
Maybe Ki will score a cracker enabling us to beat Atletico Madrid next week.
I’d be happy with that.
HH
!!Bada Bing!! says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:58
5 years ago this week Naka scored that free kick v Man U,scary how far we have fell in a short time.
*********************
Aye yer right, imagine needing a free kick to beat that shower!! :-)
What would you do if you ran celtic now ? Would you take steps which significantly reduced our limited income further? Would you take steps which made Scott brown, Marc Antoine Fortune etc. too expensive for us. Would you be the one who presided over the club poaching players from Football League Two ? Not easy, once we stick to our guns and make sure they are punished approproately, I’m happy whether we play chsampion’s league or pub football.
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon says:
22 November, 2011 at 15:43
Jungle Jim, Mr Z et al, the GB will be brill tomorrow but will they be this good?
Legia Warsaw – a special support
Vinny
I’ve calmed down now, and I’m confident that we will refuse to play them in America (even if only to avoid Manchester-type rioting)….and, FIFA (and/or) UEFA will not allow sponsorship of this nature to pervade (destroy) the Scottish game …….night all….got a headache now………LOL….!!!!
Eyes wide open
Neil to his credit feigned ignorance the latest hun smoke screen
Of made up pash by Ali (WHO?) to give some last vestige of
hope an increasing and growing orc ugly backlash the ever decreasing
circular talk of fat sally his big upped points advantage in the eye popping
Swollen words of succour daily provided by jabba.
I wouldn’t give it a second of my more hedonistic intellectual pursuits.
Feck jabba.
HH
Could the rosenborg fullback be a replacement for cha? Wilson? Or Mathews?
Me thinks there is a big money bid for our welsh starlet on the table
Bada Bing,
Sorry mate – no fee mentioned.
Starryhope
Weeminger……I know….I should calm down until the detail is published…….LOL….!!!!!
TET,
only been a couple of time, reckon I’m up, that’ll do me :o)
EmeraldBee\o/ says:
22 November, 2011 at 21:56
Starry @21.51
Your mate is obviously a ‘Blue Nose’ but not a Hun. We all have these mates!
If he was a Hun he wouldn’t be a mate!!!
Starryhope
Does the deal state that we have to play them 4 times a season in the SPL competition?
Would it be possible to play 4 ‘friendlies’ or ‘Glasgow Cup’ matches against them and televise that?
good evening cqn just read back some articles,inclined to think some from the peepil,reminds me of saying i once read i think on here
Never wrestle with a pig,you will only get dirty,and the pig will love it
First tier tribunal judgement reaches Ibrox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30YW3wgRvyI
How can we play the Orcs in a friendly, they will be extinct so it’s just not possible.
Oh happy days!
V