Scottish Premiership clubs plan to increase SPFL annual income to £50m

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The new Scottish Premiership season is three weeks old

Scottish Premiership clubs have set a plan to increase the SPFL's annual distributable income to £50m by 2029.

A Deloitte report commissioned by Dundee, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen was discussed by the SPFL in December and recommendations by the latter three clubs and Celtic and Rangers have gained broad support.

The clubs involved say they plan to move the SPFL, which distributes £28.4m a year, from "a largely administrative function to a more robust and dynamic commercial structure".

"Other goals are to improve the profile, prowess and finances of the women's elite game," they added.

This year, the SWPL1 and 2 divisions joined the men's Premiership, Championship and League 1 and 2 divisions under the SPFL banner.

Reports suggest the SPFL are in talks with current live partner Sky about a new broadcasting contract to run from 2025-29.

The league also has a deal for radio commentary, Premiership TV highlights and live Championship TV games with the BBC, while Premier Sports show live Scottish League Cup matches.

And Hibs chairman Ron Gordon told BBC Scotland: "The Deloitte report said Scottish football was marginally undervalued. We are in conversations with Sky on the resetting of our deal, a much more comprehensive relationship that involves the women's game, more games, carving out some pay-per-view, and a secondary package.

"What's on the table right now has got promotional and commercial partnerships we sell together, promotional elements for Sky and for the league, an investment in more and better content.

"On a per-game basis, we are very well compensated right now. But we have very few games. We have 48 games and they don't even take all 48. Out of 218 games, that leaves a lot of games which are not out there.

"In this conversation with Sky, we've tried to have more games but protect the gate - we want our stadiums to be full."

Gordon also discussed the need to improve the brand image and attractiveness of the league to potential investors.

"We're looking to create product that has more to offer a commercial partner," he added. "Many brands in the UK that are in football are not in Scottish football.

"We want to double our commercial revenue from £4m to almost £8m. The women's game really gives us an opportunity to grow brand new revenues because nothing has existed. What we're looking at with broadcasting alone - that we're in discussions on right now - could be £2.5m or more over the next five-seven years.

"The other key elements are strengthening the brand of the league. There's been a lot of bad blood, people have been cynical about the league, but Scottish football does a lot more good than bad. Every club is a difference-maker in its community and it's a passion point in Scotland. It's very, very real.

"We should harness all the good football does and create a brand that is very positive. Good brands want to associate with good brands. The branding of the league is an important thing we all need to get behind."

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster thanked Aberdeen, the Old Firm and the Dundee and Edinburgh clubs for "their valuable work" and added: "It is an exciting time for the game."

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