Report: SPFL make TV deal breakthrough before Celtic’s involvement in ‘crisis talks’

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The SPFL have been given the green light from Scottish Premiership clubs to sign a new TV deal with Sky Sports worth £150 million.

The fresh extension, which will take place from the 2024/25 season, has been a huge topic of discussion in recent weeks and months.

In order to push the latest talks through, the SPFL needed an 11-1 majority from top-flight clubs, which provided scope for some drama, and that is exactly the direction it looked to be heading in.

Following concerns over the deal from both Livingston and Rangers, ‘crisis talks’ were then set to take place this week after the two clubs delayed their response to the resolution.

In recent days, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson and Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack have been voicing their sides of the story, as the latter called for clubs to push the latest talks with Sky through.

And following his statement on Sunday evening, Cormack looks to have got his way after a report from the Scottish Daily Mail stated that the SPFL have now been given the green light for the proposed deal.

SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan has now emailed clubs to inform clubs that the resolution has secured the votes required.

Writing to clubs, he said [Scottish Daily Mail]: “I am pleased to be able to advise you that the Commercial Resolution in respect of the proposal from Sky has now been approved by cinch Premiership Clubs and that the Qualified Resolution amending the SPFL Rules (to accommodate the Sky proposal) has also been approved.

“Thank you for your support of this important rule change. The extended contract with Sky will underpin the finances of the SPFL for the next seven years in the face of what appear to be strengthening economic headwinds.

“Over the coming days, we will look to contract with Sky and to announce the extension, which, by value, will be by far the largest single commercial contract in the history of Scottish league football.”

Sky Sports new TV deal terms announced, with potentially more Celtic games to be showcased.

Under the terms of the new deal, Sky Sports will now be able to showcase 60 games per season from the summer of 2024, which is an increase on the current deal, from 48.

The broadcaster is prepared to increase the payments to Premiership clubs from the current £25 million to £30 million by 2028/29, and Sky would also have first refusal on two additional bundles of ten games per season at the cost of £4 million.

Overall, that could ultimately see 80 games shown across an entire season, with clubs taking home a share of £38 million.

The reaction to this new TV deal is one that is very mixed, with many Scottish Football supporters stating their disappointment at agreeing terms so soon, with a few years still left remaining on the current contract.

However, league officials have been insistent on the value of the new agreement with Sky Sport, and Celtic look to have been in favour of the deal, which could be worth more than £120 million to Scottish clubs over a four-year period.

As is the case with the majority of SPFL votes, these things are never guaranteed to be straightforward, even in the aftermath.

I am sure there will be plenty of reaction provided across the world of Scottish Football in the coming days and weeks when the deal is officially announced by all parties.

In other news, Foreign media tip Celtic loanee for first start against Champions League side.