The BBC has criticised “unhelpful” comments from Scottish Professional Football League chairman Ralph Topping, who has questioned the UK public-service broadcaster’s commitment to the domestic game amid talks over a new rights deal.
The BBC’s television highlights contract with the SPFL, which oversees the top-tier Premiership along with the Championship and Leagues One and Two, is currently in its final season and SPFL executives have consistently stated their belief that the corporation is selling the Scottish game short when it comes to the deal.
BBC Scotland currently pays £1.4m (€1.78m/$2m) per season for the rights to televise highlights on its Sportscene programme and online, along with Radio Scotland’s live coverage.
The Premiership is set to be boosted from 2016-17 with the return of Glasgow giant Rangers to the top division for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Topping has stated his belief that the BBC needs to increase its offer for the rights to between £3m and £4m per season from 2016-17.
“From the meetings that we’ve held with the clubs, the divisional and general meetings, there is an absolute view that they (BBC Scotland) will have to come up with a significant offer,” Topping told UK newspaper The Times.
“In my view that offer would need to be north of £3m. Between £3m and £4m. Bear in mind it’s the national competition and this year the league has shown itself to be exciting. There will be excitement right through the league next season also. I think that has to be reflected in the price, and the BBC has to show a commitment to the national game in Scotland.
“I think there is a question mark over the attitude of the BBC to Scotland and it is vital that those in Scotland demonstrate that they are fighting the cause because others here would say ‘no, they’re not fighting the cause, they’re not banging the drum’.”
Responding to Topping’s comments, Ewan Angus, BBC Scotland’s commissioning editor, said: “We are in the midst of negotiations at the moment and it’s not particularly helpful that Mr Topping chooses to comment in this way.”