SPL agrees two-year extension to Setanta contract

The SPL has agreed a two-year extension of the current TV contract with Setanta Sports.

The new deal, which runs until the end of season 2009/10, is worth £54.5m (€78.3m) over four years.

In addition to covering the current 38 live games per season, Setanta Sports will feature a further 22 live matches between non-Old Firm clubs. The 60 live games is the biggest TV deal ever for the SPL.

Executive Chairman of the SPL Lex Gold said: "It is no secret that a number of our clubs have faced a tough time financially. This £54.5m (€78.3m) deal is the biggest in the history of Scottish football and provides a very welcome boost for our clubs.

"It also answers the call from supporters for more coverage of games that do not involve the Old Firm."

Setanta’s Director of Sport Trevor East said: "This brings our investment in the Scottish Premier League to £71m 9€102m). Extending our coverage to include more teams more often is an important part of our development strategy."