Scottish Cup f inal could be poised to move from traditional Saturday slot
THE SPFL are prepared to pave the way for the William Hill Scottish Cup final to switch to a Sunday kick-off.
Broadcast negotiations over a new deal for the tournament have been geared towards an arrangement that maximises exposure, including the May showpiece.
New SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell was asked last week if a shift to an evening kick-off — like the English version — would appeal to potential TV partners and he admitted ‘nothing is off the table’.
However, seizing the spotlight of the following day could be the more attractive and flexible idea to clinch an improved contract.
And SPFL secretary Iain Blair has confirmed the league bosses are prepared to play ball by moving the Premiership Play-off final forward by 24 hours to the traditional Scottish Cup showdown slot.
The current date for the Cup final is Saturday, May 25, while the second leg of the tie between the top flight’s 11th-placed club and promotion contenders from the Championship is due to take place 24 hours later.
The 2013 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Hibernian was played on a Sunday on a one-off basis to comply with UEFA’s insistence that there be no TV conflict with the Champions League final from Wembley that Saturday.
‘If, through the SFA’s broadcast discussions, they wanted to pursue an opportunity to look at a Sunday for the Cup final we would absolutely be open to having those discussions,’ said Blair.
‘There is an argument, which
I understand, that the curtain should really come down on the season for the Cup final. It’s only for practical reasons that we don’t have it at the moment.
‘By moving the Cup final to the Sunday and playing the Play-off final second leg on Saturday, you do get that attraction.
‘Published dates can be changed and it’s far enough away that if everyone wants to do it, then it can be changed. It’s an interesting option and worthwhile throwing it into the argument.’
Increased co-operation between the two Hampden camps on a variety of issues is expected by dint of Maxwell’s appointment.
The former Partick Thistle managing director was chairman of the SPFL Competitions Working Group before taking up his new Hampden post.
The league made a point of stressing they wanted him to remain part of that forum and he is currently joined by performance director Malky Mackay.
One grumble about any potential change to the season’s climax is likely to come from Championship promotion hopefuls.
The Play-off final moving to a Saturday might further cramp their prospects, with one day less of recovery in the games coming thick and fast through the play-offs.
Livingston knocked out Dundee United on a Friday night last month before a Thursday evening first-leg tie against Thistle. However, by then, Livingston had played the same number of games (38) as the Firhill club.
The opening game against Ladbrokes Premiership opposition would need to be Tuesday or Wednesday to accommodate a Saturday second leg.
The SFA’s TV deal for their flagship competition with Sky and BBC Scotland expired as Celtic ran out double Treble winners with a 2-0 win over Motherwell last month.
Maxwell has stated his hopes for concluding a favourable contract in the coming weeks.
‘As part of any deal, you need to work with broadcasters to get the best value,’ said Blair.
‘Yes, you can go up against the FA Cup final in the evening but it would be silly. We used to do it, always, 3pm for both games but why do it now?
‘If the Scottish Cup final went to the Sunday, we’d play the Play-off on the Saturday and the Scottish Cup final would be the final day of the season.’
All fixtures for the four Ladbrokessponsored divisions will be released on Friday and anticipation has been heightened by the Steven Gerrard factor at Rangers.
The SPFL has two seasons remaining on their near £20million a year arrangement with Sky Sports and BT Sport.
With global attraction Gerrard the box-office name in the Scottish game, Blair is convinced now is the time to capitalise on the upsurge in interest.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster is at the forefront of securing a lucrative agreement — with the next few months key to clinching a deal.
‘The fact you’ve got someone like Gerrard renowned internationally here is going to hugely increase the interest,’ said Blair.
‘And we’ve got the big clubs back where you’d expect them to be. Last year, we had the four big city clubs plus Aberdeen in the top six. It was a while since we had that.
‘Until the other day, I think the broadcasters were still sorting out the English Premier League and concentrating on that. BT bought one of the two remaining, Amazon bought the other.
‘I think, with time to draw breath, this summer there will be a lot of work going on for us with the broadcasters. I’d expect some time over the next three or four months we will be in a situation where we look at the period beyond 2020.
‘We’re fortunate because next season and the one after we have already got the broadcast deals in place. We know the revenue streams coming in.
‘Now is the time to capitalise. The interest is there. Three years ago, you had three of our biggest clubs (Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian) not in the Premiership.
‘Fortunately for Scottish football’s appeal generally, they are now not only in the Premiership but seriously competing at the top end of the Premiership. That’s marketability. So the timing is good.’