Sky Sports aims ire at Rangers over access since winning title
Aggrieved senior executives at Sky Sports have contacted Rangers and the Scottish Professional Football League to voice displeasure at a lack of access since the club’s title win on Sunday. The situation is particularly awkward for the SPFL given an exclusive, fiveyear broadcasting deal with Sky worth £25m per year began this season.
Sky is upset with the refusal of Rangers to provide interview opportunities with players and management after Celtic’s 0-0 draw at Dundee United confirmed the league trophy’s destination. That irritation only intensified when Steven Gerrard, the Rangers manager, appeared for an exclusive interview with ITN on Tuesday.
This marked Gerrard’s first onscreen appearance since Rangers sealed the title. While Sky have no objection to Gerrard speaking to another channel, the broadcaster believes it should be at least afforded similar opportunity as a key partner – and substantial funder – of the SPFL.
Although Sky sources make plain no formal complaint has been made to from the newly crowned Scottish champions.
It now remains to be seen what scope is given to Sky by Rangers going forward. Gerrard’s team are unbeaten in the Scottish top flight and have still to host a “trophy day” at Ibrox, as will be screened live by Sky as per contractual obligations.
Both the SPFL and Rangers declined to comment on the scenario. But the Ibrox club are understood to be perfectly relaxed about their approach to interviews; several were released via club channels on Sunday evening. Rangers are also delighted with the interest this generated.
Sky took on sole domestic rights for live Scottish Premiership matches after an alliance with BT Sport ended last summer. A key motivation for the SPFL to call time on last season after coronavirus hit was to allow the new Sky contract to begin last August with the start of a new campaign.