Battle for the SPL (rights)
I read yesterdays news regarding a potential new TV deal with great interest. As always however, the devil is in the detail.
Okay so the clubs are offering more televised games in the new package so yes its not a pay raise but it is actually good leveraging of your collective product. In theory the income boost helps further stimulate a top flight I maintain is on the rise thus not only negating the stay at home on the night supporter but attract larger numbers into the stadium in general due to a better product. At least that would be the plan and in fairness theres not many clubs that do not sign well these days.
Ten or fifteen years ago I would have said a better TV deal is dead in the water, these days every Tom,Dick, and Harry wants a slice of the pie/any pie to try and entice subscribers. While we were always Sky’s filler content, there’s no reason we couldnt flip to a different platform and elevated/promoted/exposed much better than Sky. Off the top of my head I count 7 media outlets that could bid for some number of SPL games and while unfortunately that’s bad news for TV viewers with all the different subscriptions needed, imo opening up the revenue stream right under your nose makes perfect sense for the SPL clubs.
I also believe it is collectively clever to demand an actual deal rather than a broadcaster paying for an individual game, that’s not only less Pay Per View matches thank God but also stops the Big2/3 pocketing the majority of the extra income via being given the most airtime and subsequently renumerated better than the others.
Plus to be honest its a good time to get more exposure as the top flight is going to get very interesting over the next decade. With Bloom, the various Yanks, Dermot retiring,,the SPL might look ordinary at first glance but its in a state of flux and will evolve for the better therefore there really should be broadcaster interest in the product. For all the EPL hype it’s mostly about Man Utd finding their way back to the summit, if Hearts get their hands on a title that approach would have double buy-in up north from the tradional Big2,,,there’s your broadcasters dream and whoever holds the rights should that come to pass will hit the proverbial jackpot and I give that scenario 3/4 years max.
More games on TV will mean more terrible commentators more often though, don’t say you haven’t been warned.
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com
MAGS
He even looks like one.
Rice. 2-2. Good goal.
2-2 final score in Munich. Decent game.
LASK fucking more green and white hoops
Mags ,
Aye Nick Walsh & Co would sure have enjoyed that. 🤬
Their heroes LASK prevail against the Lisbon Hoops .
HH💚🍀
M McG
We are on the same page again.
Feels oddly engaging!
The solution is in our hands, but our hearts( those of the collective support) are too involved in imagining the best possible outcome when the evidence, clearly provided, points to predictable deterioration.
In my opinion we need tens of thousands to accept a reality check in our current direction of travel. A generation of domestic success is lauded as if it really means something, when it is simply an apparition of false hope.
The stimulus of accepting/ glorifying in beating domestic dross will do us no long term good. It merely consigns us to be willing compliants in an ownership playbook that seeks nothing more than
small minded, local victories that keep the underinvested show on the road, stoking an out of control ego, til it means nothing at all.
A club gradually turning into a wasteland.
For Ozymandias read Desmondias, with his sneer of cold command.
Mags
Odds are there wont be a solution. If left to their own devices, those that run celtic will never admit they fucked up, which means they will continue to do what they have been doing. neither will the fans do what needs to be done, as that would similarly require them changing what they do. And nobody it seems wants to change their behavior.
the only thing that might cause a change is a run of success by Sevco. That may force DD to reconsider if the juice is worth the squeeze. If so, someone US investor could come along, and see a chance to do a Sevco and turn about a failing business and make some money.
otherwise, it is a slow descent into irrelevance.
TRM
Nick Walsh the Scottish referee?
What’s the connection with Sporting?
Lost me there
EM
just saw your response to Mags. Not much to argue with.
M i T
Agreed.
I have urged for 14 years to stop buying season tickets. My reasoning was money since its all the Macroom mafia care about. I always wanted to see Celtic succeed in Europe as that was the true measure in my opinion. Jock showed the way. However, if the consensus is an ever spiral into hun based irrelevance then lets watch.Watching Celtic supporters buy season tickets is like listening to Maga’s scientifically reason about Covid. Same impediment to reason.
Ex_Machina
yes its going to get ugly.
Ozymandias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaqlCkqdAXo&list=RDBaqlCkqdAXo&start_radio=1
Some result for LASK. Getting a result in Portugal is never easy.
think Carrick will be out of a Jon before the weekend is over.
Just watched the Shaun Maloney pre match presser. He sounded hesitant, unsure, and lacking confidence. But I’ve never felt good about him, even as a player.
M McG
It’s a bleak prospect.
Others will argue differently, that’s entirely up to themselves.
Unless there is a dramatic turnaround
I feel it’s getting close to the point of no return – event horizon.
Why those directing the business don’t see this or choose to ignore it is open to interpretation.
CELGER
Was never keen on him either. Not just a walking sicknote, a bloody hypochondriac.
Sorry Mags.
Sporting v. LASK
Ref: Nick Walsh
Ass Ref 1: Frank Connor
Ass Ref 2: Danny Boy McFarlane
Fourth Official: Don Robertson
Var was Attwell from England and assisted by Polish referee.
HH💚🍀
TRM
Aha gotcha !
Thanks mate!
Bobby, Maloney also walked out on Celtic couple of times, I never thought he should be anywhere near Parkheid. I think MON has him sussed now and will take a greater personal interest. MON please just get us through this season with another title and get the right guy in place for next year years going forward. Lots of good candidates and at the 2 million BR was getting + bonuses, we should be able to get the right guy.
It always amazes me how we are quick to trash great Celtic servants. Hun like.
CELGER
Yep, agree with all of that.
MAGS
You won’t see or hear me knocking any Celtic greats, but Maloney is nowhere near that.
Bobby
Most ex Celts are nowhere near great.
To trash Maloney in such a way I consider unfair.
The classy Alex Valle played the whole game for Como against the might of Mbuemo, Cunha, Diallo, Fernandes etc.
Puzzled why not one journalist asked Maloney what he would do if Murray or Scales was injured vs Celta. With CCV and Trusty out, it seemed an obvious question.
You all need to ask yourselves the question as to why Maloney is there in the first place.
St. Tams,
DD will retire in the next ten years and that adds further interest in the product imo.
I see theres trouble at Falkirk over their desired 4th stand.
Mags….Maloney looks after himself. Just look at his history and contract dealings. He is no great Celtic servant. He fluked out getting his present role. He was in a “cushy” player development job until MON asked for help. He didn’t sign up for this season until he got a big wage increase, and another reason why pre-season was f….d up. Great club servant? The tea lady does more for Celtic than him……gie me a break.
Good morning friends and a Big Happy European Matchday to everyone who posts or lurks on this fine site.
Can’t afford any defensive slip ups or injuries tonight! A hard fought 3 points to kick start our European ambitions, such as they are.
Huddle Breakdown of refereeing errors.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thehuddlebreakdown/p/back-to-black?r=5bby70&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
New article.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2026/10/22/the-big-dilemma/