Celtic pull out of SPFL broadcasting deal as Aberdeen match blackout is explained

Celtic pull out of SPFL broadcasting deal as Aberdeen match blackout is explained.

Celtic have opted out of the contract between Premier Sports and the SPFL.

The primary SPFL broadcaster, Sky Sports, has the exclusive right to telecast five Celtic home games per season, including the

Glasgow Derby and the season-opening match against Kilmarnock.

That leaves them with two more decisions to make in addition to the March Glasgow Derby, with Aberdeen’s visit on October 19

appearing to be as appealing as it gets in terms of home games.

Celtic have opted out of the arrangement between Premier Sports and the SPFL.

The primary SPFL broadcaster, Sky Sports, has the exclusive right to telecast five Celtic home games per season, including the

Glasgow Derby and the season-opening match against Kilmarnock.

Then, it was made public in June that Premier Sports had joined the Premiership group.The Scottish Cup and Premier Sports Cup

rights are already held by the Irish broadcaster, which also signed an agreement with the SPFL to air 20 Premiership matches starting

this season.

The license to air a maximum of two more games from each Premiership stadium was granted to the Irish broadcaster when they agreed to sell Premier a supplemental package. And raised hopes of more showpiece fixtures in the SPFL being televised live.

Offered £75,000 for every additional home game — and a maximum sum of £150,000 for two — Celtic were unwilling to disturb

season-ticket holders and home fans travelling from further afield by relocating more 3pm Saturday kick-offs to a later hour. Finally

As part of their agreed deal until 2029, Sky retained first option of two further bundles of 10 SPFL games at a cost of £4million apiece

from this season.

Sky was placed on the market when they chose not to accept the option. Even though the Premier agreement is far less than

what Sky and the other 12 clubs had agreed upon, eleven of the clubs decided to accept the money nevertheless, with league

sources noting a desire to increase viewership and broadcast more live games this season, such the Edinburgh and Dundee

derbies.

When Premier Sports was announced at the beginning of June, Neil Doncaster stated:

We are tremendously thankful to Premier Sports for their enhanced investment into the game, which will bring an

additional eight-figure sum into Scottish football over the next five years, ensuring future record-breaking payouts to clubs.