SPFL cut Rangers out of new Sky TV deal vote as Ibrox giants demand apology over cinch row

League bosses moved to cut Rangers out of the vote on a new £30million a year TV deal - after the Ibrox club demanded cash and an apology before giving it their approval.

The proposal to extend a contract with broadcast giants Sky until 2029 was effectively torpedoed on Sunday night when Rangers refused to give it their backing. And Record Sport understands the Rangers hierarchy are refusing to support the revamped agreement until the SPFL say sorry for a previous bitter dispute over league sponsors Cinch AND agree to pick up the legal tabs on behalf of both the club and chairman Douglas Park.

League chief executive Neil Doncaster needed all 12 top flight clubs to sign a waiver agreeing to let Sky’s cameras into their home grounds for one extra game a season. But while the other 11 signed up for a slice of the extra cash ahead of Sunday’s deadline, Rangers stood their ground and left the deal hanging in the balance.

Yesterday, Doncaster attempted to circumnavigate that blockage by sending out a new ‘commercial resolution’ to clubs which requires the support of only 11 top flight clubs for it to be pushed through. It must also receive the blessing of at least six clubs from the Championship and a combined total of 32 clubs from across all four divisions.

The clubs have until next Tuesday to register their votes but the league are confident the resolution will carry the support of the vast majority.

Sky want to beef up their coverage of the Scottish top flight by increasing their live match package from 48 games to 60 games from season 2024/25 - and are willing to increase their annual payments from £24m to £30m by season 2028/29. And one source close to the stand off told Record Sport last night Rangers have