MUMBAI: Close on the heels of its media rights agreement with the German Bundesliga coming to a close, Star Sports has signed a landmark broadcasting deal with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).
The media rights agreement entails India’s lead sportscaster, which boasts the English Premier League as its flagship international football property, televising ALL the games that Scottish Premiership points table leaders Rangers FC play during the ongoing season, along with a 15 other SPFL matches over the the coming months.
It is worth noting that the Rangers are presently into the final year of a two-year strategic partnership the Light Blues signed with JSW-owned Hero Indian Super League franchise Bengaluru FC last season. Additionally, former Indian national team captain Bala Devi will play for the Rangers Women’s team this term.
The broadcast deal also includes a friendly that Bengaluru FC will play at the Ibrox Stadium (Rangers’ home ground) next summer.
The deal is underpinned by Rangers acquiring the exclusive 2020/2021 season SPFL rights for India, after which the club forged a wide-ranging partnership with Star Sports that includes unique access and behind-the-scenes content, live matches and the exclusive airing of a friendly between Rangers and Bengaluru FC at Ibrox in Summer 2021.
Rangers director of Commercial & Marketing, James Bisgrove said: “We’re thrilled to enter into this innovative partnership with Star Sports.
“It represents the successful implementation of our international strategy and our thriving relationship with Bengaluru FC in India.
“The signing of the broadcast deal will give Rangers and the SPFL Premiership unprecedented visibility in India and with it a unique opportunity for both the club and Star Sports to develop commercially.”
The Star Sports deal is another key part of Rangers’ off-field blueprint and the friendly with Bengaluru next summer will be a historic match for both clubs, The Herald further reports.
Coaching expertise and digital strategies have already been shared and Bengaluru chief Mandar Tamhane said: “From the outset we were sure about partnering with a club with whom we could create meaningful opportunities.
“This agreement to bring the SPFL and Rangers to television screens in India through Star Sports is a big reinforcement of our joining of hands with Rangers.
“We also have the pre-season planned in Glasgow next year that involves a game with Rangers, and that’s something big to look forward to.
“We’d like to thank Star Sports, with whom we share a fantastic relationship, for their role in making this possible.
“I am certain fans in India will get access to quality content from the SPFL and Rangers specifically, and that includes updates from Bala Devi’s time in Glasgow with Rangers Women.”
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