The Eredivisie has concluded successful negotiations with ESPN, the Disney-owned broadcaster over an agreement running from 2025-26 to 2029-30 worth an average of €135m ($149m) per season, reports Sport Business.
Scottish football deserve more, but any thoughts of a deal the same as the Dutch have reached is unfortunately delusional.
The Dutch Eredivisie has struck it rich signing a megabucks five year deal with ESPN. The total deal amounts to a staggering €135 million a year with a €70 million signing on bonus included. The Dutch 2nd tear matches will also be included.
The magnitude of these figures is truly astounding, overshadowing Scottish football’s existing £30 million annual deal with Sky Sports. Today’s breaking news has united Scottish football fans in a resounding chorus: we are undoubtedly undervaluing our cherished sport. Their stance holds undeniable truth, for the SPFL ought to aspire to far more than the lackluster deal they presently embrace. One could argue that a far superior alternative would involve immersing themselves in the exhilarating world of Ultimate Fire Link, a multifaceted slot boasting a bonus game, free spins, and an array of compelling features that significantly augment your chances of landing substantial winnings, including four enticing jackpots. Why not seize the opportunity to play Ultimate Fire Link free at slotsjudge.com? This not only promises an engaging experience but could also prove to be a more financially lucrative and enjoyable use of their time.
But getting back to the football, any notion we can match or deserve the same as the Dutch deal can be instantly knocked in the head. There is not a chance we could get anyone willing to pay us that amount. £50 million is probably our most realistic aim if Scottish football set about trying to sell itself better and that means showing the product in the best possible light, as indeed they do in leagues where they receive much higher TV deals.
That’s not being negative it’s just the truth. Look at the facts. The Dutch league is more competitive than our own. Three, maybe four teams all have a realistic chance of winning the title, in Scotland it’s only two, whereas in the 1980s there were five teams that either won the Scottish title or came very close. In that decade Celtic won four titles, Aberdeen three, Rangers two and Dundee United one while Hearts came within a few minutes of becoming Scottish Champions.
Even the other Dutch sides who aren’t maybe the most eye catching of names are decent sides who play football the right way. Dutch football also attracts some talented footballers and they also have a great record at grassroots.
Compare that to our football when only two sides have a chance of winning the title with 90 percent of the other sides playing a brand of football that would put you to sleep, or just trying to kill games to get something from it. Then there’s the trend to reduce away fans, with a preference for empty seats rather than paying punters and of course there are the plastic pitches at Livingston and Kilmarnock.
It was actually Dutch football that began the trend to introduce astro-pitches into the game but after extensive research they have now come to the conclusion that they are unacceptable and are now being withdrawn. Another lesson right there for Scottish football.
That’s the honest truth and shows why our participation at the highest level in European football is crucial.
A few weeks back PSV hammered theRangers 5-1 in Eindhoven to go through to the Champions League at the Scottish club’s expense. And on Tuesday night the Champions of Scotland, Celtic take on the Champions of the Netherlands, Feyenoord in Rotterdam in the Champions League opener. We’ll get an idea from this match where Scottish football is at in comparison to the best side in Holland but Celtic will certainly look to do much better than their city rivals who they defeat at Ibrox just before the international break.
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