Celtic chief hits out at TV deal

The 12 top-flight clubs met at Hampden on Thursday where a vote - which was not unanimous - was taken to accept the deal despite being around half of what the contract with stricken Irish broadcaster Setanta was worth. The new deal will last until the end of season 2011-12 with the SPL having an option to extend it for a further two seasons. Celtic Chairman John Reid said: "Celtic have a responsibility to speak out for our supporters who will be deeply dissatisfied with the background to, and outcome of, the SPL decision and the events leading up to it. "No-one should underestimate the blow that has been inflicted on this club and Scottish football by the way in which the whole affair has been handled and by the losses incurred. "Last year's decision to reject the Sky bid and opt for Setanta - arrived at against the strong opposition of Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen - has proved to be the disastrous misjudgement we indicated it might be, with Setanta now in administration. "In turn, this has led to the dilemma we now find ourselves in. "The SPL accepted a bid that is less than half the value of that offered by Sky last year. "The whole SPL is now a commercial victim, in an uncompetitive TV market, in the middle of a recession, locked in for years to an income some 60% lower than last year's bid. "This is the direct consequence of last year's misjudgement, one that has cost us all some £70million in a sport that desperately needs the income and where our supporters are already paying their own hard-earned cash. "To Celtic it means a potential loss of up to £12million over the four year period - the equivalent of around 6500 season tickets each year." Earlier in the week, it emerged that Celtic and Rangers could join forces to mount a bid for the broadcasting rights to Scottish football, a plan they claim would have benefited all clubs and not just the Old Firm. Reid added: "We need to face up to some harsh realities. "In an environment crying out for long-term thinking this concentration on short-term gain only leads to long-term pain. "Above all the SPL must learn the lessons of these events. "That is why we initiated discussion with Rangers Football Club to examine possible alternatives to the present position. "We reserve the right to continue to explore those options not only for the longer term benefit of Celtic football club but for everyone involved."

Source: Team_Talk