The SPFL is hoping Steven Gerrard's appointment at Rangers will drive up the value of its TV rights.getty images
The "upsurge in interest" created by Steven Gerrard's appointment as Scottish Premiership side Rangers manager "could lead to a record television deal for Scottish football," according to Andrew Smith of the SCOTSMAN. Scottish Professional Football League CEO Neil Doncaster is "confident it can tap into the publicity generated by Gerrard's arrival" to secure a broadcast contract worth double the current terms. The current deal expires at the end of next season and the SPFL is in negotiations over a new contract that would replace the £18.95M ($25.6M) per season agreement with Sky Sports and BT Sport. The league "previously expressed confidence" that the emergence of possible new bidders -- including Eleven Sports, which won the rights to screen La Liga in the U.K., and potentially Amazon -- would allow it to top the previous highest figure of £31M ($42M) per year. Sources at he league body suggested the "Gerrard factor" offers it "further bargaining chips" (SCOTSMAN, 5/6).
