First Team
MATCHWORNSHIRT | CHAMPIONS
7th May 2024
The uncertainty hanging over Scotland's top football League could threaten hundreds of jobs.
Scotland's leading CLubs today expressed concern that the 11th hour rejection by Rangers and Celtic of the proposal for the League to form its own pay-television channel, SPL-TV, places jobs under threat.
The ten Clubs who backed the proposal have already called on the Old Firm to explain any alternative plans they may have for the long-term future of Scottish football - and they also want the Old Firm to make plain their commitment to football in Scotland in the short, medium and long-term.
The Clubs, who employ 900-1000 full-time workers between them and support thousands more part-time and casual workers, maintain the uncertainty caused by speculation over the intentions of Rangers and Celtic are placing significant numbers of Scottish jobs at risk.
Keith Wyness, Chief Executive of Aberdeen FC, said today: "This must not be allowed to become simply some kind of game of bluff. There are real people in real jobs who are very worried about what the future holds for them. The removal of the prospect of SPL-TV and the essential revenue it would undoubtedly have generated is a major impact on all Scottish Clubs."
"However it must be said that the continued uncertainty and speculation created by the Old Firm's desire, sometimes spoken and sometimes unspoken, to play in another league makes it enormously difficult for the rest of Scottish football to get on with business.
"We need Rangers and Celtic to be honest, to outline their thoughts. One can only assume that they have a proposal that creates more revenue for all of the clubs in the league since they voted against SPL-TV. If they have then let's look at it. We are very willing.
"If they are committed to Scottish football then they should come out and say so. Equally, if they want to be elsewhere then say that. Either way, the only time a resolution to this can be found is when the Old Firm let Scottish football colleagues and fans know what exactly is in their mind."
Mr Wyness went on to explain that, with a reduction in revenues now appearing inevitable, every club would have to re-examine its cost base - and that would inevitably also include looking at levels of employment and pay.
He added: "Clubs had already begun the process of reducing costs, but a reduction in revenue of this magnitude coming as unexpectedly as this means that Clubs will have to look again.
"This is an important issue. A lot of people depend on Scottish football for their livelihood - not just directly but also indirectly and it is an issue we intend to raise through Scotland's politicians."
Scotland's leading CLubs today expressed concern that the 11th hour rejection by Rangers and Celtic of the proposal for the League to form its own pay-television channel, SPL-TV, places jobs under threat.
The ten Clubs who backed the proposal have already called on the Old Firm to explain any alternative plans they may have for the long-term future of Scottish football - and they also want the Old Firm to make plain their commitment to football in Scotland in the short, medium and long-term.
The Clubs, who employ 900-1000 full-time workers between them and support thousands more part-time and casual workers, maintain the uncertainty caused by speculation over the intentions of Rangers and Celtic are placing significant numbers of Scottish jobs at risk.
Keith Wyness, Chief Executive of Aberdeen FC, said today: "This must not be allowed to become simply some kind of game of bluff. There are real people in real jobs who are very worried about what the future holds for them. The removal of the prospect of SPL-TV and the essential revenue it would undoubtedly have generated is a major impact on all Scottish Clubs."
"However it must be said that the continued uncertainty and speculation created by the Old Firm's desire, sometimes spoken and sometimes unspoken, to play in another league makes it enormously difficult for the rest of Scottish football to get on with business.
"We need Rangers and Celtic to be honest, to outline their thoughts. One can only assume that they have a proposal that creates more revenue for all of the clubs in the league since they voted against SPL-TV. If they have then let's look at it. We are very willing.
"If they are committed to Scottish football then they should come out and say so. Equally, if they want to be elsewhere then say that. Either way, the only time a resolution to this can be found is when the Old Firm let Scottish football colleagues and fans know what exactly is in their mind."
Mr Wyness went on to explain that, with a reduction in revenues now appearing inevitable, every club would have to re-examine its cost base - and that would inevitably also include looking at levels of employment and pay.
He added: "Clubs had already begun the process of reducing costs, but a reduction in revenue of this magnitude coming as unexpectedly as this means that Clubs will have to look again.
"This is an important issue. A lot of people depend on Scottish football for their livelihood - not just directly but also indirectly and it is an issue we intend to raise through Scotland's politicians."
