Scottish rugby chiefs "are set to sell the naming rights to Murrayfield stadium" to BT in a £20M ($34M) deal, according to the SCOTSMAN. The agreement would see the Scotland Rugby Union’s debt of £11M ($18M) wiped out, "while providing a boost for Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors by allowing them funding to strengthen their squads in time for next season." BT will also have its name on the Scotland jersey in the long term, with the BT Sport Stadium, the BT Sport Murrayfield Stadium and BT Murrayfield Stadium "just three of the names under consideration." SRU CEO Mark Dodson and Commercial Operations Chief Dominic McKay "have been working behind the scenes to strike the deal, following BT’s foray into the sporting world with their TV channels." As part of the deal to rename Murrayfield, BT is "also expected to try and encourage the stadium to be used for other events, including music concerts, with One Direction set to perform in the summer" (SCOTSMAN, 5/15). In Edinburgh, Bill Lothian wrote Murrayfield Stadium, in the west of Edinburgh, has been the home of Scottish rugby since '25 "and there is bound to be some resistance to renaming such an iconic venue which has played host to three home grand slams and such diverse events as a Rolling Stones concert and even a Papal address." However, "in view of the financial situation, the consensus is likely to be in favour of a change" (EDINBURGH NEWS, 5/14).
