Pride goeth before destruction

[D'Artagnan 173]

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

 

And there is ample evidence of that haughty spirit. After reading a number of newspaper columns over the last few weeks there is a consistent theme emerging that the SPL is going through something of a Utopia period with the absence of Rangers.

 

Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with marketing which attempts to â??sex upâ? the product, the danger comes however when you begin to believe the hype and ignore the facts. Part of that Utopian myth appears to suggest the absence of Rangers has made the SPL more â??family friendlyâ?

 

In the last 2 weeks we have seen scenes at Dens Park which one official compared to a â??throwback to the 70'sâ? and â??the worst scenes in 20 yearsâ?. Add to that a 10 year ball boy being the victim of someone spitting in his face at the Edinburgh derby, as well as chairs damaged at Pittodrie in the Aberdeen vs Dundee United match. Perhaps it's just me but such scenes are not my interpretation of â??family friendlyâ?.

 

Furthermore the â??sexed upâ? product does not appear to be selling that well despite considerable marketing. Attendances are down, but more significantly, TV viewing figures have also seen a considerable drop. Clubs are having to offer considerable discount on batches of ticket sales in an effort to encourage sales. The Sell out Saturdays campaign is a dim and distant memory. Rangers in the 3rd Division of the SFL continue to draw attendances which outstrip those of the combined SPL games.

 

Tam Cowan was pontificating in a recent column that the predicted Armageddon for Scottish football had not happened. I think Tam needs to go back to bible class, Armageddon comes after considerable signs and warnings.

 

Contract talks between Dundee United and their manager Peter Houston, have dragged on for some considerable time without resolution. Quite simply Dundee United don't have the money to give him the kind of favourable contract he negotiated in the aftermath of their Scottish Cup triumph. I have little doubt the pinch is being felt throughout the rest of the SPL.

 

Of course part of the â??sexing upâ? of the SPL in the newspapers, is nothing more than a GIRUY to Rangers and their support. It would be a complete humiliation for all of those involved with the rejection of Rangers membership if they had to subsequently concede that the SPL needs us, or more appropriately, the money and viewing figures we generate.

 

This is not a Rangers supporter gloating at the trials and tribulations affecting the SPL, just someone objective enough to compare the hype with the hard facts and the harsh realities of market forces.

 

It is perhaps appropriate that the decision whether or not to unleash Armageddon on Scottish football will not come from a Rangers hater or a Rangers lover for that matter, but rather a TV executive reviewing this season's SPL viewing figures which will be devoid of any â??sexing upâ?.

[pete 2,499]

Excellent piece once again DÁrt. It is going to be interesting to see what happens with league reconstruction and TV deals. I feel that the SFA\SPL will try and blackmail us again. Charles said he will not play ball but I wonder if he has any option but to accept what is agreed by the SFA\SPL.

No doubt Mr Lawell will be doing the negotiations again.

[ian1964 10,457]

Can Rangers scupper the TV deal?,or will it be negotiated with or without Rangers agreeing?

[pete 2,499]

Can Rangers scupper the TV deal?,or will it be negotiated with or without Rangers agreeing?

 

Obviously we can refuse to let camera's into the ground but it is what the consequence will be for doing it. I thought our registration was only given a temporary stamp because Green refused to give up our right of appeal. If that is so then we are going to have the same locking of horns next year again.

Green will again be blackmailed into accepting.

[biggordy 0]

Surely Rangers TV have the exclusive rights for any games played at Ibrox ?

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Good read again Dar't but i'm biased, anything that highlight the hypocrisy and lies of the SPL get my thumbs up.

 

Regardless of any deals Rangers were blackmailed or strong armed into agreeing to, once there is an new agreement for a reconstructed or merged SPL and SLF, all previous TV rights agreements are surely nil and void?

 

if so I believe it gives our club some small bargaining power to retain some of our own TV rights, what's the worst they can do to us, threaten our expulsion again? That will go down well with the smaller clubs who will be rubbing their hands for a further season of receiving the playing Rangers windfall bonus payments.

Edited January 6, 2013 by aweebluesoandso

[D'Artagnan 173]

There is a suggestion f om Longmuir in his most recent interview, that the SFL will try and negotiate a separate deal with the TV companies from the SPL.

[EDGE 0]

Where could one possibly see Sky viewing figures to compare and contrast this season viewers compared to last years?

[D'Artagnan 173]

Where could one possibly see Sky viewing figures to compare and contrast this season viewers compared to last years?

 

There was a PDF document on FF recently Edge. They made grim reading.

[RANGERRAB 3,306]

There was a PDF document on FF recently Edge. They made grim reading.

 

The proposed reconstruction will only take place if they can get proper finance/sponsorship i.e. a SKY deal & a replacement for the CB. Scottish football is seriously short of money & cannot do without these. The SKY SPL viewing figures this season are dreadful - down 73% someone said I'm sure. So will SKY want to renew without 4 OF games ?

I get the impression Longmuir is playing devils advocate in this. He's going along with this but waiting for the SPL to implode with these ridiculous proposals then he & SFL will gain control

Edited January 6, 2013 by RANGERRAB