More chairmen speak out on new Sky deal

Last updated : 08 July 2002 By Tony Scholes

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks
Over the weekend two more chairmen have not been altogether about the new deal, one of them a previous member of the Football League Board, Ipswich Town's David Sheepshanks.

On his own club's web site under the heading ‘Chairman hits out at TV deal' Sheepshanks said,

"On the face of it, it may appear good news that the Football League has concluded a new television deal with Sky and from an exposure point of view and accessibility for football fans this announcement is positive, as BSkyB are excellent broadcasters of football.

"The market is very depressed at the moment and the comparatively modest value attached to the Football League rights is perhaps unsurprising in the current climate. What is most alarming however is that the Football League Board has seen fit to commit to such depressed values for a four year term. I cannot understand the rationale for this decision, irrespective of whatever pressures were put on them to commit.

"We're living in a rapidly changing market in the world of sports rights and while nothing has been agreed thus far, the future shape of the Football League, particularly with regard to the First Division, as well as the format of the Worthington Cup after the current sponsorship is finished are both subjects on the agenda for review. So why on earth commit the Football League to this length of agreement when there is every prospect that today represents the bottom of the market and the future could herald significantly improved value?

"All in all this is rather a depressing day and reminds me of the situation some six years ago when a previous Football League Board committed the 72 League clubs to a similarly poor long term deal that effectively severed forever any prospect of a reconnection with the Premiership.

"That decision resulted in rebellion and the overthrow of the Board at the time, it may not be the case this time, but yet again such a vital decision has been made by the Football League Board without any reference to all the First Division clubs. I can only envisage negative ramifications yet again following this decision.

"As to what effect this deal has on us at Ipswich Town Football Club, it means that we will get less than we thought we had conservatively forecast from the Football League. That said, it is no disaster, but makes life in the First Division just that little bit harder than yesterday."

Also not too happy was Tranmere's Lorraine Rogers who added,

"Although we are delighted to be returning to Sky Sports, who did such an excellent job of packaging the Football League last time around, we are more than a little concerned about the financial implications of the new deal. £95 million over four years as opposed to £315 million over 3 years is not something to be happy about."

It does look as though the Football League Board are going to be put under some pressure from some clubs and not before time, right now though they continue their fight against Carlton and Granada by promoting the FFU.

You can still help the fight against Carlton and Granada by sending them the letter we published here last week that we are happy to publish again. It reads,

Dear Messrs Green and Allen,

I am a long time supporter of Burnley Football Club. This club, which I cherish, is now threatened by your failure to live up to the agreements you as owners of ITV Digital entered into two years ago.

I am aghast that companies of your size and stature could contemplate actions which leave even one Football League club in a perilous position, let alone all of them.

I must urge you to reconsider your position. Football Clubs are a vital part of the local communities and economies they serve. They give expression to the aspirations of so many, including often disadvantaged members of the community.

Your actions will also damage the youth development programmes, which have clearly become so important in the modern, competitive world in which our children live.

Please think again. The damage being done could be incalculable.

Yours sincerely,

It should be sent to the two chairmen at the following addresses:

Michael Green,
Chairman,
Carlton Communications PLC,
25 Knightsbridge,
London
SW1X 7RZ

and

Charles Allen,
Chairman,
Granada PLC,
London Television Centre,
Upper Ground,
London,
SE1 9LT

or alternatively you can email them to michael.green@carlton.com and charles.allen@granadamedia.com