SPL clubs could be prepared to consider a cut in their £125million Setanta deal to prevent a possible financial disaster if the Irish broadcaster goes bust, according to Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson.
The lucrative four-year contract is due to begin next season but Setanta are reportedly struggling after losing one of their English Premiership packages and are looking to cut costs.
The 12 SPL clubs remain keen for Setanta to honour their contract but Thompson believes pragmatism may be the deciding factor.
The issue was raised by the Tannadice chairman at Thursday's quarterly meeting of all SPL clubs and he told the Scottish Daily Mail: "It's been fairly well publicised that Setanta have already gone to the English Premiership and the PGA of America to renegotiate their football and golf deals.
"So it should come as no surprise to anyone in the SPL that they are talking about possible renegotiation.
"I raised it at the meeting because I wanted an update on the situation.
"Nobody wants to lose any potential income. But the last thing Scottish football wants is Setanta to go bust. Where do you go after that?
"I think the SPL will be quite tough when it comes to negotiations, because the new deal was only signed 10 months ago.
"But a lot of things have happened in the 10 months, the biggest of which seems to be Setanta losing some of their Premiership rights.
"Of course, we're hearing rumours all the time and it's a serious amount of income we're talking about here, for every club. We certainly don't want to be losing money."
An SPL spokesman refused to comment on the ongoing speculation about the future of the Setanta deal but told PA Sport: "Everything is up to date with Setanta, so we're fine in that regard."
The 12 SPL clubs remain keen for Setanta to honour their contract but Thompson believes pragmatism may be the deciding factor.
The issue was raised by the Tannadice chairman at Thursday's quarterly meeting of all SPL clubs and he told the Scottish Daily Mail: "It's been fairly well publicised that Setanta have already gone to the English Premiership and the PGA of America to renegotiate their football and golf deals.
"So it should come as no surprise to anyone in the SPL that they are talking about possible renegotiation.
"I raised it at the meeting because I wanted an update on the situation.
"Nobody wants to lose any potential income. But the last thing Scottish football wants is Setanta to go bust. Where do you go after that?
"I think the SPL will be quite tough when it comes to negotiations, because the new deal was only signed 10 months ago.
"But a lot of things have happened in the 10 months, the biggest of which seems to be Setanta losing some of their Premiership rights.
"Of course, we're hearing rumours all the time and it's a serious amount of income we're talking about here, for every club. We certainly don't want to be losing money."
An SPL spokesman refused to comment on the ongoing speculation about the future of the Setanta deal but told PA Sport: "Everything is up to date with Setanta, so we're fine in that regard."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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