Big Six to resume battle over TV cash
THE fight of the Big Six for more Premier League TV rights money is set to be resumed in June. Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore has told clubs he wants the controversial issue resolved at their summer meeting to end any uncertainty going into next season.
However, the chances of the 20 clubs reaching the 14-6 majority needed look slim as entrenched positions have not changed since a meeting to break the impasse was postponed in October because there was no hope of a solution.
The proposal had been for 35 per cent of the overseas TV income, which is currently shared equally, to be rewarded on a sliding scale via position in the league table.
The top six clubs — Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool — claim they should have a greater share because they are the teams that generate more interest abroad. It is understood Everton, Leicester and West Ham are on their side.
The rest of the top flight strongly believe the league’s strength is a collective approach — especially as it looks like an increase in overseas rights will be needed to compensate for the drop in domestic money.
LIVERPOOL kicking off at Anfield before Tiger Roll was back in the Grand National winner’s enclosure at Aintree was an unprecedented clash of events. But, understandably, Liverpool did not want the Bournemouth game moved to yesterday as they have not played on April 15 since the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
ONLY the Aintree stewards could hold an inquiry about experienced jockey Danny Cook (right) directing horses away from Becher’s Brook in the National because doctors were treating an injured jockey at the fence. The officials then had the gall to ‘remind him of responsibilities not to get involved’ rather than thanking him for his help.
ITV’S peak viewing figure of 8.5million for the National will be considered disappointing by some, especially as the 5.15pm start time is to attract a bigger TV audience. The number was better than last year’s 8.2m but down on the 10m who watched Channel 4’s last coverage of the race in 2016. ITV believe the good weather cost them viewers, the same reason they gave last year, but the Jockey Club, Aintree’s owners, expected a lot more armchair watchers.