Celtic Chairman John Reid has come out swinging and swinging hard over the Scottish Premier League’s decision to accept the 65 Million Pound deal with ESPN and Sky over the course of the next three seasons after turning down double the amount offered by Sky just a year ago, choosing instead to sign on with Setanta.

Via Guardian 

“Celtic have a responsibility to speak out for our supporters who will be deeply dissatisfied with the background to, and outcome of, today’s SPL decision and the events leading up to it,” said John Reid, the Celtic chairman.

“No one should underestimate the blow that has been inflicted on this club and Scottish football by the way in which the whole affair has been handled and by the losses incurred.

“Last year’s decision to reject the Sky bid and opt for Setanta – arrived at against the strong opposition of Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen – has proved to be the disastrous misjudgment we indicated it might be, with Setanta now in administration.

“In turn, this has led to the dilemma we now find ourselves in. Today the SPL accepted a bid that is less than half the value of that offered by Sky last year.

“The whole SPL is now a commercial victim, in an uncompetitive TV market, in the middle of a recession, locked in for years to an income some 60% lower than last year’s bid.

“This is the direct consequence of last year’s misjudgment, one that has cost us all some £70m in a sport that desperately needs the income and where our supporters are already paying their own hard-earned cash.

“To Celtic it means a potential loss of up to £12m over the four-year period – the equivalent of around 6,500 season tickets each year.”

It emerged this week that Celtic and Rangers could join forces to mount a bid for the broadcasting rights to Scottish football, a plan they claim would have benefited all clubs and not just the Old Firm.

“We need to face up to some harsh realities. In an environment crying out for long-term thinking this concentration on short-term gain only leads to long-term pain,” added Reid.

“Above all the SPL must learn the lessons of these events. That is why we initiated discussion with Rangers Football Club to examine possible alternatives to the present position.

“We reserve the right to continue to explore those options not only for the longer-term benefit of Celtic football club but for everyone involved.”

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