Levein backs proposals for SPL TV deal

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today welcomed the news that the SPL is planning to launch its own television channel, claiming the move was likely to give him extra cash to recruit players for next season.

The 12 Premier League chairmen unanimously agreed to the concept of a television channel devoted to Scotland’s top flight at a meeting in Glasgow yesterday, after Sky stalled on renewing its current broadcasting deal which expires at the end of the season.

Levein had recently voiced concerns that he could not make concrete plans for next term until he knew the financial resources available to him from Hearts’ cut of any broadcasting deal.

It is still unclear just how much money will be at his disposal, but he welcomed the news that the SPL chairmen had decided to go it alone in setting up their own channel.

And he believes he could now have more funds to invest in the squad than he could have hoped for under any new deal with Sky.

He said: "I think it’s a great idea. I knew there was a meeting planned between the chairmen and it’s good to see that there has been a positive outcome.

"The Old Firm have committed themselves for four years and that’s good news for Scottish football and should help ensure this is a success. Football is extremely popular in this country and I can’t see any reason why this won’t work.

"With football people in control we will now be able to adjust kick-off times and dates for games with the supporters’ interests in mind and that has to be a good thing.

"As far as my own budget for next season is concerned things still aren’t any clearer, but I would imagine this will make things even better for me than I had hoped.

"By setting up an independent channel, the clubs will be cutting out the middle man and that should ensure greater revenue. I’m currently looking at players and I’ve drawn up a list of the positions I want to fill and who I would like to fill them.

"I know of certain players who are available in the summer but I won’t be able to do anything until I know just what is available to me. The same applies to the players we have out of contract ."

SPL chairman Lex Gold believes the new television channel will "deliver stability" for the league.

He said: "Crucially, all 12 clubs realise the need to move ahead with this project on the basis of a minimum four-year time frame which will deliver stability for the league as a whole - enabling us to build upon the significant progress we have made since the launch of the SPL almost four years ago."

Taken from the Scotsman