A second broadcaster could end up winning the rights to additional SPFL TV packages should Sky Sports turn down the option to go beyond a 60-game per season agreement.
The Scottish Daily Mail [19/08 print edition, back page] reports that Sky will have the first refusal on two additional 10-game packages each year, valued at £4m each.
However, should they not choose to take those up, it could pave the way for Premier Sports owners Viaplay or even the BBC or BT Sport to come in with their own offers, with the SPFL securing the right to explore other options.
The update comes after reports that there is ‘widespread’ support from clubs for the proposed £118m, four-year extension to the current TV deal with Sky, which is valued at £29.5m per season from 2025/26.
The SPFL have already sent out a resolution recommending the acceptance of the deal, with clubs currently in a 28-day window they need to reply during.
The agreement needs an 11-1 majority from top-flight clubs, so there is scope for some late drama on all this, but reports indicate that it could be signed off by next month.
This is despite a backlash from some supporters who feel the game in Scotland has been undersold again.
Similar-sized leagues around Europe all have more lucrative deals in place. Even if a second broadcaster takes up both additional packages beyond Sky’s 60 games, that’s still only £38m per season, which isn’t great in that wider context.
Nonetheless, if the clubs are happy with it, then it will go through. They hold all the power and there’s no indication they had expected a better offer from elsewhere.
In other news, Celtic hold advantage on Haksabanovic despite 4 team chase; agreement close.
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