Kieran Maguire: Celtic could now rip up contract as new details emerge
Celtic will leave the door open to the possibility of emulating Rangers by withdrawing from league-wide sponsorship contracts.
That is the view of finance guru Kiernan Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops’ commercial pulling power.
Rangers recently withdrew from the SPFL’s title sponsorship deal with Cinch because of their pre-existing relationship with Park’s Motors, who operate in the same industry.
Per The Athletic last Wednesday (22 June), a clause in the renegotiated Cinch deal precludes Rangers from participation in any league-wide sponsorship deal for four years.
Celtic will receive the same remuneration under the terms of the new deal but analysts have raised long-term concerns about the effect of Rangers’ stance on the rest of the SPFL.
Maguire argues that it is not out of the question that Celtic could also choose to go it alone when it comes to league-wide sponsor deals.
“Celtic will do what they think is broadly in their best interests,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“With regards to Cinch, it doesn’t look as if they or the other clubs will be financially disadvantaged by the ultimate resolution.
“But if you look at the SPFL constitution, Rangers did have a pre-existing sponsorship arrangement that allowed them not to get involved.
“I think Celtic will be frustrated on the basis of rivalry but they will also sympathise with Rangers’ position.”
Celtic earned £22million from media and commercial streams in 2020-21, the last recorded financial year.
The renegotiated Cinch deal is worth £7.6m to SPFL clubs over the course of its five-year life span.
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