Some Celtic fans have been talking about the latest news update on a Sky Sports deal which could allow fans to stream games.
The Daily Record recently published an article about this deal, which will allow fans to buy ‘virtual’ season tickets and watch games via clubs’ online channels. The piece, written by Keith Jackson, said that talks between SPFL chief Neil Doncaster and Sky are now at an ‘advanced stage’. The idea is to help the Scottish clubs generate some important ‘matchday revenue’, despite teams now preparing to play next season behind closed doors.
It comes as Sky Sports were due to begin a five-year TV deal in the 2020/21 season allowing them to broadcast exclusive coverage of Scottish football, which has been curtailed by the current pandemic.
The Daily Record relayed a tweet about this article on social media. It attracted the attention of many Celtic fans, who made their opinions clear. A couple of Hoops fans had a positive opinion about this.
Arise Sir Neil Doncaster
— Andy (@andyraepal) June 3, 2020
Do you want this Sky Sports deal to go through?
I'd love it
No, its nonsense
Not ideal but its a step in the right direction that allows revenue to get back into the game,but no doubt the cynics will be picking holes in it.
— frankgallagher (@frankgallaghe18) June 2, 2020
The piece from the Daily Record quoted an unnamed Premiership chairman about the deal, but while they didn’t give away too many details about it, they touched on how this deal can help Scottish football and how it can play a role in keeping the game in the country sustained financially.
However, some Celtic fans thought the opposite. They didn’t understand the point of this deal.
Why would you limit it to ST holders? Surely you open the whole thing up to people who want to pay?
— Stephen Wray* (@TheBhoyWray) June 3, 2020
Presumably their will be a cost for this
— mick rooney (@mickr48) June 3, 2020
Sky are showing all EPL matches lives when the season re-starts next week, so why should it be any different north of the border? Trying to claw back the refunds they had to give for not having sports for the last few months.
— gordon mcqueen (@13steviemac) June 3, 2020
Interested in cost for families where there are multiple season tickets in one household.
— Margaret Brannan (@marg1888) June 3, 2020
These Celtic fans certainly have different reasons to criticise the deal. One fan does say that it doesn’t feel justifiable to restrict it to only season ticket holders, though whether that is how the plans would be rolled out remains to be seen.
There has been controversy surrounding how Celtic are not fully refunding season ticket money to their fans. It appears this deal could help them compensate those fans in a very good manner. Live streaming could make up for the season ticket holders while they are unable to make it to stadiums next season. So Celtic fans should be pleased as this deal can only help them.