Source: Team_Talk
Bain unhappy over value of TV deal
The 12 Scottish Premier League clubs met at Hampden on Thursday where they decided through a majority vote to accept the £65million deal.[LNB]The contract will run until 2011/12 with the option for two more years and amounts to around half of what was agreed with Setanta before they were plunged into administration.[LNB]Reports emerged earlier in the week that Celtic and Rangers were set to launch a joint bid for the broadcasting rights to Scottish football but no proposal was tabled at the meeting.[LNB]Bain told the Gers' official website: "Since Tuesday July 7, when there was an indication given by the SPL member clubs that they would vote in favour of the Sky and ESPN deal, Rangers jointly with Celtic investigated the possibility of purchasing the SPL TV rights.[LNB]"In doing so, Rangers felt obliged to explore this avenue, not only in the best interests of our club and its supporters, but the SPL and Scottish football as a whole.[LNB]"A bid was not able to be presented to the SPL Board this morning due to the time constraints imposed by the present bidders.[LNB]"Last year, Rangers along with Aberdeen and Celtic, implored upon the SPL member clubs to reconsider voting in favour of the Setanta deal, given concerns about the future viability of the company, and in failing to do so, believe that the overall value of the SPL TV rights have been destroyed.[LNB]"With the advent of Sky and ESPN now working together in a joint bid, values of potential income have halved since the Setanta deal was first signed in June 2008.[LNB]"We do not feel that the values now presented in relation to the length of term proposed by Sky and ESPN are a fair and true reflection of the value over the length of the term of the whole contract.[LNB]"However, Rangers have to abide by the majority vote this morning in favour of the Sky and ESPN contract."[LNB][LNB]
