Former England striker Ian Wright has voiced his opinion that undervalued broadcasting deals are a significant reason for the struggles in Scottish football. Wright suggested that the league's attendance figures, talent pool, and compelling storylines should warrant a more lucrative television contract, especially when compared to countries like Norway.
Last season, the Scottish Premiership witnessed a close title race, concluding on the final day between Celtic and Hearts. Despite such engaging content, Wright highlighted that Norway has secured a broadcast deal reportedly worth £25 million more annually than Scotland's.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) agreed to a £150 million broadcast deal in 2022, which commenced in 2024 and is set to run until 2029. Under this agreement, Premiership clubs currently earn approximately £30 million per season. The objective is for these clubs to reach an annual earning of £50 million by 2029.
In contrast, Norwegian media reports indicate that the current domestic rights package in Norway exceeds £50 million per season, with projections for this figure to rise to over £60 million from 2029. Wright posits that increased revenue for clubs could translate into improved infrastructure, facilities, and academies across Scotland. This is particularly relevant at a time when Scottish clubs are losing young talent to clubs with greater financial resources, often from England.
However, Wright also emphasized that a clear pathway to first-team football for young players remains crucial. This aligns with a recent report from the Scottish Football Association that detailed deficiencies in player development within Scottish clubs. Despite Scotland's recent return to major international tournaments, Wright expressed sympathy for the fans and the sport's recent history of missed opportunities.