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
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- »
pauloantony
If there is anything like a couple of mil being offered for young Adam, I for one can not see PL turning it down, personally I wouldn’t let him go for less than 4-5 mill.
He is going to be a star without a doubt, if he was english he would be worth more cos they can’t help bigging up their own.
T,
the SPL only have one cmpetition
Vmhan
I saw that. Thanks.
Your clip was not bad but this one is better. First 2 mins is before kick off.
Best moment after 1:50.
Legia Warsaw fans. Game against Wisla Krakow.
Imagine this going for more than 90 minutes.
TTTT
Will send you short mail in a few minutes.
Zbyszek,
Simply so that there is NO misunderstanding…
I bow to NOBODY in my respect, affection & admiration for the Jewish people & what they have contributed to human achievement.
That in no way justifies the way they have been given licence to return to a land they were driven from 2000 years ago & the hateful cruelty that they have inflicted on the former residents of that land.
THAT is an abomination.
Good luck to you & to those you cherish.
canamalar
I will stick to gambling on football, at least you know that the odds are no stacked against you, unless you are gambling io Celtic or the hun that is, though you usually can win a few bob on the hun in the in play betting, lost on Saturday mind you, I was convinced they would get a helping hand, but hey you win some you lose some.
I think my Uncle John would have been proud of you too!
the Ian hislop BBc2 programe on banking tonight was good. Some interesting
people who started these institutions.Particularly liked the Rothschild/Judaisam pieces on charity and justice being one.
Made me think of work here and friends.
Shalom
Keysar Soze1 at 21:56
I asked earlier but didn’t get an answer. What is the exact wording in this “clause” that everyone is talking about it. I have yet to see detail of the contract, just what is written by the media and you know how trustworthy they are.
Mort
I’m with Paul: this deal is ‘illicit’…
MAN CITY almost certainly out after the Bayern result, If they do not win the EPL then the SHEIK will withdraw and the price of petrol will go through the roof!
4 star or 5 star?
Zbyszek – no problem mate. My laptop has been knackered for almost a week, so I’ve only had limited online access via work and my iPhone. Brilliant clip of your fans in action there.
One of my favourites is the Greek fans at a basketball game, with two stands singing at each other. The Green Brigade have introduced something similar in our stadium, whilst trying to avoid Stasi-type police tactics!
L
TTTT
System Addict?
I don’t believe that this deal has anything to do with keeping the huns in the league. Doncaster is covering his ar$e by caveating the reality of ‘the great deal ‘ he has secured (and consequential bonus ??) – it’s based on a series of assumptions .
When they go belly-up. SKY will survive without Celtic v rangers games. Celtic will survive without SKY showing Celtic v rangers games. .If this in an extension to the previous deal then the top 2 are once gain guaranteed 33% of the total cash. The other 10 fight for the crumbs. Crumbs from the table v’s an increased possibility of a european place, and likely gate increases as the hunettes go back to their ‘second’ team. Can’t see many wee teams cryin if this deal has to be ripped up. They weren’t happy first time round.
I may be wrong but would be interested to know the set-up of this deal. Is it one contract with sky which they sub to ESPN, is it a contract with a joint-venture they have set up, or is it two separate contracts which are signed at the same time ( like a hoose sale). If it’s the later then Doncaster may have played a blinder here, given the current circumstances.
TITO
What do you call a nun with a washing machine on her head?
Sister Matic
– Good night
Paddy G..,
good idea
whats green, six legs, if it falls out a tree it can kill you ??
a snooker table
night night all good tims
hail hail
Night bhoys, I think I will join you…..:>)
Just been to see Jerry Saddowitz in Swindon.
Poor turnout,but brilliant stuff. The guy’s a raving,er,genius.
If you ever get the chance to see him,do so.
But don’t take your maiden aunt. She will probably laugh louder than anyone,and will just embarrass you…..
Jeezo forgot the funny or not.
What do you call a head in a bucket of water ?
Bob
Evening all.
Anyone else hear about Bishop Philip Tartaglia being searched and filmed at the recent Celtic 0 Hibs 0 game? Told it was in the Daily Express the other day.
Taggart
Whow ….through the old roof..that’s Super High!
Have you ever seen a tank run on smoke free gasoline?
It’s what the huns would have you believe..success is cheap
So long as White/SDM don’t have to pick up the bills.
phony logic.
HH
BobbyM
Haven’t heard of him for years, but from what I remember he was a funny bloke, glad you enjoyed yourself, and yer maiden Aunt as well.
RF:
I’m relying on your posts for my christmas cards this year.
Keep them comin.
Zbyszek great video, the Legia supporters and atmosphere were amazing.
V
Kilbowie Kelt at 22:18
I could probably tell you a lot about the Jews in Israel 2000 years ago and between Christ was born and today. You maybe think that the Jews came back to the land just before 1948? They were there before that year and before 19th century.
Mark Twain who visited that land in 19th century described it as desert with not many people but if saw some they were mostly the Jews. That were the Jews who dried the marshland and moistened the desert.
In 1854 New York Tribune correspondent wrote in his report that 2/3 Jerusalem population were the Jews.
According to the official reports from 1905 Jerusalem population was 60 000 people. Muslims 7 000, Christians 13 000, Jews 40 000.
Would you believe that the New York Tribune correspondent was Karl Marx ? Yes, that was that famous Karl Marx.
The more I know about this land the less I know who is right, who is wrong.
Vmhan
I hope I can go to watch our game against PSV Eindchoven next week. We, like other five teams are in the next round yet.
THE EXILED TIM
Haha,I walked into that one. The fella is like Frankie Boyle on steroids,only a hundred times more offensive and funny.
And that is from a big fan of Frankie….
pauloantony – I hope it’s not for Matthews. He’s the real deal. Perhaps Lustig will be our new Centre half although his name is not a good omen.
very inspirational….
thai tim “Ton”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue-6KmoVlmM
Time you lot woke up and smelt the coffee. There was no consideration about Celtic FC when this deal was discussed!! Amen and goodnight!!
Micke Lustig, just been reported in the Aftonbladet here in Sweden. You bhoys dont want to know what the Swedish fans think about the SPL or Celtic for that matter.
Words like crap,backwords,rubbish and so on.
Micke Lustig is not very good by the way, have seen him a few times, he is tall and pacy but skinny and no strength, if you thought big mick had skinny legs wait to you see this guy. The big heefers that play up front in the SPL will go right through him.
KTF
Nobody in my mind personaly.
1948 is really important date.
Before that year many anti-Semites said “Jews out to Palestine”. After 1948 many anti-Semites say “Jews out from Palestine”.
Good night to all.
Carrigan
Punt him to wee ally then???
I’ve just bought an HD table.
The resolution is incredible.
CARRIGAN 2313
Cheers,buddy-that will have set many a mind at rest.
I’m beginning to think our scouting network has shot it’s bolt!
Carrigan
Big dans built like the proverbal. Enuff said.
Bruce – was he in section 111 at the time?!
Don’t bash the bishop!
TTTT
proverbal=proverbial