Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
James Delaney

SPFL close to £2.3m compensation deal with BT Sport

SPFL bosses are close to agreeing a £2.3 million compensation deal with BT Sport over missed matches due to the curtailed season.

The broadcaster's five-year deal with the league concluded at the end of last season.

However, they are due compensation after matches were cancelled and the season ended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A deal has already been struck with Sky Sports to repay £1.5m in compensation over the next five years.

The BT deal will not involve payment in full immediately, and will be a structured payment plan over a number of months, according to the BBC.

In Rangers' 'dossier' of evidence surrounding the league ending vote in April, the Ibrox club suggested the SPFL could be forced to pay out as much as £10m in compensation for lost matches, including two Old Firm clashes.

However, if the current deal on the table is agreed, the bill will likely be less than half that.

Sky now have exclusive live rights to the Scottish Premiership after agreeing a £160m contract in 2018, with that agreement lasting until 2025.

Speaking on the settlement with Sky, Doncaster said: “This agreement means that any liability for games not delivered during 2019-20 has been settled, on terms that reflect Sky’s status as a committed partner and supporter of Scottish football.”

Live Championship matches will continue to be shown on BBC Scotland, while the corporation will still air top flight highlights.

The SPFL will still have to negotiate a repayment package with the BBC, who can also stake a claim for missed second tier matches.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.