New deal for Scottish TV soccer could be signed today by BSkyB and ESPN
An immediate deal could be signed on the televising of Scottish football if Rangers newco's Scottish Football Association membership is approved later today.
The Herald has reported that contracts could be signed with BSkyB and ESPN to show 65 matches per season from the Scottish Premier League and Irn-Bru Third Division.
The Herald’s chief football writer, Michael Grant, claimed that the deal will see Sky take the rights to 30 games, beginning next Saturday with Celtic V Aberdeen as well as the opening fixture of Rangers newco in the Third Division against Peterhead on 11 Aust.
ESPN will also broadcast 35 live games as well as 15 of the league games featuring Rangers newco.
This is expected to preserve most of the value of the existing £16m deal, says Grant who added that the SFA’s approval of Newco membership yet to be agreed has delayed its signing.
BBC Alba will also screen some of the newco Rangers games through its deal to broadcast Scottish Football League games and its deal to extend broadcast the Challenge Cup.