Kieran Maguire: Rangers on warpath as new ‘dispute’ details emerge – ‘nobody knows this’
Nobody knows the true value of Scottish TV rights and it therefore appears that the real reason Rangers are waging war against the SPFL is because of a historic dispute.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the SPFL’s recently-signed £150million broadcast deal.
As relayed by BBC Sport on Monday (26 September), the five-year deal will see Sky Sports air 60 games per season.
The deal is worth £5m-a-season more than the previous incarnation, but Rangers were hesitant to give their assent as they felt the rights were still being undersold.
The SPFL ultimately bypassed Rangers in an unprecedented move.
Relations between the Glasgow giants and the governing body were already strained because of the Cinch sponsorship row, as well as a number of other historic issues.
Maguire claims that the current drama is less to do with the value of the new TV deal and more to do with old wounds.
“Nobody knows the true value of Scottish football from a broadcasting perspective,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“At the end of the day, it’s down to how much someone is willing to pay for it.
“I’m sure that the SPFL will have explored all opportunities with both their existing partner, Sky, but also anybody coming in off the rails to come up with alternative bid.
“If nobody is prepared to offer more money, the logical thing is to accept the maximum amount put forward.
“Rangers do seem very adamant that the value of the deal is understated. I’m sure they have got their reasons for that.
“But it does seem that there is an ongoing dispute because of historical issues in terms of the way they feel their position in the SPFL is being represented.”
In other news, Rangers confident of £4m Joe Aribo windfall as new details emerge.