GUIDE TO VIRTUAL SEASON TICKETS
WHAT DOES THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SKY SPORTS AND THE SPFL MEAN?
Sky Sports are contracted to screen 48 games, including the four Old Firm matches, as per the terms of the new £125million deal that begins on August 1. But Premiership clubs are now being allowed to stream home games via their online channels. Up until now, clubs could stream matches but only outwith the UK and Ireland. However, the SPFL has successfully negotiated with Sky to lift the geo-block. Previously, the Scottish FA were successful in applying to UEFA to lift the ban on matches being broadcast live at 3pm on Saturdays.
HOW WILL VIRTUAL SEASON TICKETS WORK?
Clubs have already been selling regular season tickets and they will now provide those season-ticket holders with access to streamed matches for as long as games are played behind closed doors. It is hoped that fans will be back at matches as early as November or December, with Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack stating yesterday that he is preparing and hoping for full houses at Pittodrie in January 2021.
WHO WILL PROVIDE THE BROADCASTING EQUIPMENT FOR THE STREAMS?
Every game currently has ‘multiple cameras’ as it is — in order to provide footage for the BBC’s Sportscene programme. However, if clubs want to provide additional cameras for matches, they will be able to do that.
HOW MUCH WILL A VIRTUAL SEASON TICKET COST?
The pricing will be set by individual clubs. Virtual season-ticket sales will be capped at the level of season-ticket holders that clubs had in the 2019-20 campaign.
WILL IT BE SEASON TICKETS ONLY OR WILL FANS BE ABLE TO BUY ACCESS TO ONE-OFF MATCHES?
Initially, the plan is just for season tickets. But there will be discussions held about allowing fans to access one-off matches and talks will also be held between Premiership clubs about streaming away games.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMPENSATION DUE TO SKY SPORTS FOR LAST SEASON’S PREMIERSHIP BEING CALLED EARLY?
A clawback of around £5m could have been due but it is believed the final settlement figure to the broadcaster was closer to £1.5m. It will be spread out over the new five-year contract with Sky, a move the SPFL say provides ‘security and financial stability to the competition and its clubs’ amid the uncertainty of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.