St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour revealed there was simply no alternative for the Scottish Premier League than to accept the £65million broadcasting deal with Sky and ESPN.
The SPL had been looking for an alternative deal to show live Clydesdale Bank Premier League games following the collapse of Setanta's UK operation.
Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said this week he had been in discussions with Celtic about buying the rights themselves but, curiously, that never materialised at the SPL's AGM at Hampden today.
The 12 clubs voted, but not unanimously, to accept Sky and ESPN's deal to screen 60 live Clydesdale Bank Premier League games each season across the UK and Ireland.
The deal will last until the end of season 2011-12, with the SPL having an option to extend the deal for a further two seasons.
Gilmour, who was elected to the SPL's six-man board of directors, told Press Association Sport: "There was no alternative proposal on the table.
"It wasn't a unanimous vote, and I'm not prepared to go in that, but it was passed and so we just have to get on with it.
"We are in the middle of a tough financial situation and the league starts in four weeks' time and that was the best and only deal on the table."
A spokesman for the SPL confirmed the Old Firm had not brought their own proposal to the table.
"There was no alternative proposal brought forward by the Old Firm," he said. "We needed a vote of 8-4 and, while we will not go into the exact voting, there was enough to secure the approval."
Lex Gold, chairman of the SPL, said: "We are pleased that in just over three weeks we have been able to strike this deal.
"Sky and ESPN are two of the biggest names in sport broadcasting and they will bring first-class production standards to the table.
"We are looking forward to working with both in the coming years to raise the profile of the SPL for our clubs, fans and partners."
At today's meeting, Gold was elected unanimously for the 11th time as chairman of the SPL. He indicated the process of succession planning was under way and he expected to stand down in the autumn.
Gold, Gilmour and chief executive Neil Doncaster will be joined by Rod Petrie (Hibernian), Duncan Fraser (Aberdeen) and Bain (Rangers), who were all re-elected by the clubs to complete the SPL board.
Campbell Christie (Falkirk) stepped down from the board today after two years' service.
Gold said: "On behalf of the board and the clubs, I would like to thank Campbell for his time and valued input during his term."
Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said this week he had been in discussions with Celtic about buying the rights themselves but, curiously, that never materialised at the SPL's AGM at Hampden today.
The 12 clubs voted, but not unanimously, to accept Sky and ESPN's deal to screen 60 live Clydesdale Bank Premier League games each season across the UK and Ireland.
The deal will last until the end of season 2011-12, with the SPL having an option to extend the deal for a further two seasons.
Gilmour, who was elected to the SPL's six-man board of directors, told Press Association Sport: "There was no alternative proposal on the table.
"It wasn't a unanimous vote, and I'm not prepared to go in that, but it was passed and so we just have to get on with it.
"We are in the middle of a tough financial situation and the league starts in four weeks' time and that was the best and only deal on the table."
A spokesman for the SPL confirmed the Old Firm had not brought their own proposal to the table.
"There was no alternative proposal brought forward by the Old Firm," he said. "We needed a vote of 8-4 and, while we will not go into the exact voting, there was enough to secure the approval."
Lex Gold, chairman of the SPL, said: "We are pleased that in just over three weeks we have been able to strike this deal.
"Sky and ESPN are two of the biggest names in sport broadcasting and they will bring first-class production standards to the table.
"We are looking forward to working with both in the coming years to raise the profile of the SPL for our clubs, fans and partners."
At today's meeting, Gold was elected unanimously for the 11th time as chairman of the SPL. He indicated the process of succession planning was under way and he expected to stand down in the autumn.
Gold, Gilmour and chief executive Neil Doncaster will be joined by Rod Petrie (Hibernian), Duncan Fraser (Aberdeen) and Bain (Rangers), who were all re-elected by the clubs to complete the SPL board.
Campbell Christie (Falkirk) stepped down from the board today after two years' service.
Gold said: "On behalf of the board and the clubs, I would like to thank Campbell for his time and valued input during his term."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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