Source: Team_Talk
Ritchie intrigued by Old Firm offer
Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain confirmed that discussions with Celtic had taken place as the 10 other top-flight clubs consider a deal put forward by Sky and ESPN after the UK operation of financially-stricken Setanta collapsed.
The £65million five-year offer by Sky and ESPN only amounts to half of the contract with the Irish broadcaster, but with the August 15 kick-off to season 2009-10 fast approaching, time is of the essence.
The 12 SPL clubs will meet at Hampden for their AGM on Thursday where Rangers and Celtic's intriguing proposal, although not formally on the agenda, will be discussed.
Bairns chairman Ritchie said that with Scottish football in the midst of a financial downturn, every commercial avenue should be explored.
"But what Falkirk want to see is the guarantee of money in the immediate couple of years," he said.
"It is important that we are not left with no TV deal and we don't want to see a substantial drop in our monies.
"It looks like we are moving towards a new deal (with Sky and ESPN) but if there is anything else on offer then we would have to look at it.
"There is a meeting on Thursday so presumably there should be more detail given.
"It is a question of urgency though, we are only a few weeks away
from the start of the season."
St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour told Press Association Sport that he too is unaware of the details of the proposal but concurred with Ritchie's belief that any potential deal that could improve the income of the SPL clubs should be examined.
He said: "Neither of the Old Firm clubs have contacted me so I expect to hear more about it on Thursday.
"I'm not against it in principle but I would obviously like to see the terms and conditions of their proposal.
"That is the most important thing in any deal.
"I don't mind who wins the bid as long as it gives us more money
and no one in Scottish football can afford to say no to that.
"We have to have some competition (in the bidding) so let's see what happens."
Earlier in the day Bain had introduced a new twist to the on-going saga of the SPL's television rights when he said: "I can confirm that the Old Firm have had talks regarding the current broadcasting arrangements.
"We are deeply disappointed at the proposals on the table and are exploring other avenues.
"At this stage I don't want to comment further."
But a spokesman for the SPL said: "We have not received a proposal from the Old Firm in relation to our TV rights.
"Until we do so we are not in a position to comment on it."
