Will Sky help??

[schumi]

From http://www.speedwayworld.tv:

WOLVERHAMPTON promoter and BSPA vice-chairman Chris Van Straaten has ruled out the possibilty of a reduction in Elite League fixtures this year.
Van Straaten says discussions are in progress concerning a revised contract with broadcasters Sky Sports.
Eastbourne promoter Bob Dugard had earlier suggested that his club would be in favour of a move to halve the fixture programme with each team racing each other just once home and away, rather than twice.
Dugard also stated over the weekend that the TV deal had been completed - but this appears to have been premature.
Van Straaten said: "We will be completing the league programme. We’re in the middle of a contract, so Sky transmissions will be ongoing. But discussions are continuing for an enhanced contract."
The Wolves chief says promoters are fearful of the possible impact of the current financial climate on the sport - with the first UK meetings set to take place in under three weeks' time.
He added: "I understand the attitude of certain promoters. because I don’t think any of us have experienced a recession like this before, and we don’t know what’s ahead.
"Speedway is a unique business. If I were running a butcher’s shop or a garage and business suffered, I could lay people off.
"But once you do rider contracts, that’s it. You’re up and running and committed to doing those fixtures - and all the overheads that go with them."

[Deleted]

Taken from the BSF:

QUOTE (flagrag @ Feb 25 2009, 06:04 PM)
Sky have agreed a slight increase in the money per match for 2009 and the clubs were offered even more if they all agreed to upgrade the lighting at tracks so that Sky could broadcast elite league speedway in HD this was costed in at approx £4,500 per club for around 20 new lights plus some rewiring work although not all clubs would need to be done.

The problem being is that most clubs do not own the stadiums so the speedway promotors didnt want to fund this upgrade work themselves and stadium owners will not see much benefit so they have come to a stalemate now

I agree that the current deal Sky has with the BSPA is poor compared to other sports but there is quite a bit of money lost in the transaction if you understand what I mean. The new contract for past 2009 is in talks but again sky will want the lighting upgrading for more money to be paid as they are now pushing Sky HD to be a mainstream product rather than a luxury product as before.

And Mick Brately's reply:

Sorry to burst your bubble, but everything you have written is total garbage. There has been no agreement. There has been no talk of improved lighting.




and a response:

QUOTE (Starman2006 @ Feb 25 2009, 08:39 PM)
I really don't believe this. So if its true what Mick is saying, then where's all this coming from?.
Or is it just invented!!.



and Mick's response:

I wish I knew. Maybe it's wishful thinking, maybe it's idle gossip, maybe it's someone wanting to stir things. Either way none of it is true apart from basically what CVS has quoted in his local newspaper. Me, I dare not even think about it let alone discuss/talk about it!!!!

Has anyone actually got any idea of Lord D's agenda or his mate flagrag