Double Ibrox blow as new Sky deal is confirmed and £2m price fixing fine issued

Despite the disgraceful attempts to frustrate the collective will of every other club in the Scottish Premiership by the confirmed Govan price fixers, Scottish football today fomally concluded the new deal with Sky Sports for broadcasting league fixtures from the Scottish Premiership and additionally from the SWPL1.

The highlights from this deal are a) theRangers pathetic attempt to hold the rest of Scottish football to ransom failed, b) pay per view opportunities are back with immediate effect and c) the SWPL matches are now going to be shown, albeit in modest numbers to begin with.

Here’s the official announcement which will be seen as a major victory for Neil Doncaster at the SPFL over the Ibrox board, who have a very large fine to pay this morning for their involvement in the price fixing scam.

SKY SPORTS EXTENDS SCOTTISH FOOTBALL OFFERING UNTIL 2029 WITH MORE SPFL MATCHES THAN EVER BEFORE, AND THE ADDITION OF SWPL FIXTURES FOR THE FIRST TIME..

Sky Sports will broadcast more Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) matches than ever before under a new agreement with the League. The four-year extension to the current deal means Sky Sports customers can continue to enjoy the biggest matches from the SPFL live every week of the season until 2029.

In addition, and for the first time, football fans will be able to watch exclusively live fixtures from the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) on Sky Sports from this season. The broadcaster will become an official partner of the SWPL and the title sponsor of the SWPL League Cup for the next seven seasons.

The new broadcast agreements include:

  •  Up to 60 SPFL matches exclusively live each season from 2024/25, more than ever before, with scope to increase this over the term of the deal
  • Broadcasting live from each cinch Premiership ground up to five occasions each season from 2024/25 – one more than in the current deal
  • A minimum of five SWPL or League Cup matches exclusively live each season from 2022/23, with scope to increase further during the term
  • All cinch Premiership clubs being able to sell Pay Per View streams within the UK and Ireland of up to five league home games per season, with immediate effect, subject to certain conditions including no matches during blocked hours
  • The latest Scottish football news across skysports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in game clips from games live on Sky Sports
  • Free-to-watch highlights of every Scottish Premiership game on Sky Sports’ digital platforms, YouTube, Sky Q and Sky Glass
  • Alongside coverage and visibility for the SPFL across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports
  • Dedicated weekly highlights show on Sky Sports Football
  • In addition, the only 24-hour sports news channel in the UK – Sky Sports News – will continue to bring viewers the latest news, exclusive interviews, results and best stories from all the teams in both Leagues, making Sky Sports the destination for fans of Scottish football.

Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s EVP and CEO UK and Europe said:

“Every time we extend our partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League, more football fans are watching. With this latest extension of our long running partnership, Sky Sports customers will continue to be treated to the biggest games and even more live matches. For the first time they will also have access to Scottish Women’s Premier League matches as well, as we look to continue to bring the best football to an even wider audience.”

Scottish Professional Football League CEO Neil Doncaster said:

“This is a very significant financial and promotional deal for the SPFL and I’m delighted our clubs have overwhelmingly supported deepening their relationship with the UK’s leading sports broadcaster. Today’s announcement represents a major financial boost for our 42 member clubs at a time when the UK economy is facing significant headwinds, and will increase the exposure of Europe’s most exciting and passionate league.
“We have much work to do to achieve our target of paying fees to member clubs of £50million per season – but this is an important and significant first step towards that target. Sky has an unparalleled track record of capturing the spectacle and passion of our sport and this partnership will bring Scottish football’s action-packed drama to an even wider audience.”

SWPL Managing Director, Fiona McIntyre said:

“This is an historic moment for the SWPL and an enormous step forward for the women’s game in Scotland. This deal brings significant financial investment to the new leagues and enhances the visibility of the SWPL at this crucial time for the game. I’m delighted that Sky Sports recognise the value and potential of the SWPL and will be a key partner for us as we enter into this new era.
“Our clubs have invested considerable resources and we can now see the rewards of that work, with increasing commercial interest. This deal will allow clubs to invest further and will put the SWPL on the map as one of the most progressive women’s leagues in the world.”

On the price fixing scam theRangers, JD Sports and Elite Sports have been fined more than £2m after admitting to illegally fixing the prices of the Ibrox club’s merchandise.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found the retailers fixed the price of a number of Rangers-branded replica kits and other clothing products from September 2018 until July 2019. theRangers  also took part in the collusion, the CMA said, by fixing the retail price of adult home short-sleeved replica shirts from September 2018 to mid-November 2018.

The UK competition watchdog has fined Elite Sports £459,000, JD Sports £1.485m and Rangers £225,000. The penalties include a discount because all three parties admitting to acting illegally, helping bring a swifter resolution to the CMA’s investigation.

Michael Grenfell, executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said:

Stewart Robertson – Photo ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou

“At a time when many people are worried about the rising cost of living, it is important that football fans are able to benefit from competitively priced merchandise.

“Instead, Elite, JD Sports and, to some extent, Rangers, worked together to keep prices high.

“Today’s decision sends a clear message to football clubs and other businesses that illegal anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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