REVIEW CLUBS VOW TO DOUBLE SPFL CASH
FIVE Premiership clubs have joined forces to commission an independent review of the SPFL — with the aim of almost doubling the money paid out to member teams. Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibernian have hired finance experts Deloitte to look at ways of unlocking Scottish football’s earning potential. With the SPFL backing the venture, it is hoped the annual distribution to member clubs can be increased from £27million to £50m within five years. Neither Rangers, at odds with the SPFL over their deal with league sponsors cinch, nor Celtic are involved at this stage. The five clubs, four of whom have American-based chairmen, say the focus of the six-month project is ‘unlocking significant additional revenues for the benefit of all in professional Scottish club football’. A joint statement, signed by the clubs’ chairmen, read: ‘As a group of clubs who will spend around £600m over the next ten years (in both operations and infrastructure), we believe a clear vision and strategy with measurable goals is needed if Scottish football is to continue to grow and prosper on and off the pitch, and ultimately compete with similar-sized countries and leagues across Europe.’ SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster vowed full co-operation with the review. He said: ‘The SPFL board has already been in discussion with a number of the clubs involved regarding this independent strategic review. ‘We wholeheartedly support any initiative that has the good of the game at its heart. We know Deloitte well and the SPFL will play a full, active and positive role in the process and we look forward to seeing what proposals and innovations emerge from it.’