What If....

[Theboss]

Only a few weeks until the season starts and whilst I sincerely hope this does not happen, I think it is worth discussing what would happen if either of the following scenarios developed:

 

1) Sky find a way to exit the 5 year contract without any financial penalties. The broadcasting rights then revert back to the BSPA but they can not agree a deal with BT sport that matches up to what the 8 competing teams had budgeted on receiving.

 

2) Sky decide to simply stop showing speedway to save on production costs, and are happy to honour the payments for broadcasting rights rather than do a deal with BT to broadcast the matches. However the knock on effect to the clubs is that sponsors will want a reduction in their agreed deals or even pull out all together, which I would estimate to be worth just as much to the clubs as the sky payments and would again leave their budget descimated.

 

So in either scenario what would happen to the Premiership? For example would riders take a pay cut or would their be urgent action taken by the clubs and top riders replaced with national league riders. Or is it worth all clubs taking a financial risk and running as they are but possibly cutting the league short after the first 7 home and 7 away?

 

No doubt some forum members will accuse me of doom mongering but who knows what is happening behind the scenes, and surely worth discussing 'what if' openly on a forum for supporters of British Speedway Premiership clubs....

Edited March 2, 2017 by jchapman

[The White Knight]

Only a few weeks until the season starts and whilst I sincerely hope this does not happen, I think it is worth discussing what would happen if either of the following scenarios developed:

 

1) Sky find a way to exit the 5 year contract without any financial penalties. The broadcasting rights then revert back to the BSPA but they can not agree a deal with BT sport that matches up to what the 8 competing teams had budgeted on receiving.

 

2) Sky decide to simply stop showing speedway to save on production costs, and are happy to honour the payments for broadcasting rights rather than do a deal with BT to broadcast the matches. However the knock on effect to the clubs is that sponsors will want a reduction in their agreed deals or even pull out all together, which I would estimate to be worth just as much to the clubs as the sky payments and would again leave their budget descimated.

 

So in either scenario what would happen to the Premiership? For example would riders take a pay cut or would their be urgent action taken by the clubs and top riders replaced with national league riders. Or is it worth all clubs taking a financial risk and running as they are but possibly cutting the league short after the first 7 home and 7 away?

 

No doubt some forum members will accuse me of doom mongering but who knows what is happening behind the scenes, and surely worth discussing 'what if' openly on a forum for supporters of British Speedway Premiership clubs....

I sincerely hope that neither of these scenarios occur.

 

Should they do so - Speedway will be in the brown and sticky stuff.

 

I hate to think what could happen were that to be the case.

 

I do think it would be a very good idea if Promoters made Plans for the time when there is no televised Speedway. That way they just might be able to mitigate against the problem.

 

They would be prepared before it happens.

Edited March 2, 2017 by The White Knight

[lynnboy]

I think the promoters would keep the teams as they are, and hopefully do what any good promoter should do and go out and promote the sport !!

 

Bring back riders squaring up too each other look at the Boxing how they promote it too get people to buy the pay per view.

 

I think there must be some serious talks going on behind the scenes, if it is only BT interested in showing speedway they hold all the aces as they have no one to bid against they could get it for peanuts.this could be more than a nail in the coffin it could be the padlock that keeps it locked let's hope not

[foamfence]

Nobody knows what would happen, we just carry on and hope things work out, there's nothing else to do.

[New Science]

I think the promoters would keep the teams as they are, and hopefully do what any good promoter should do and go out and promote the sport !!

 

Bring back riders squaring up too each other look at the Boxing how they promote it too get people to buy the pay per view.

 

I think there must be some serious talks going on behind the scenes, if it is only BT interested in showing speedway they hold all the aces as they have no one to bid against they could get it for peanuts.this could be more than a nail in the coffin it could be the padlock that keeps it locked let's hope not ky

Sky get speedway for a pittance anyway. People should be interested in the product which is the sport,not on manufactured violence.

[CookieIpswich]

The old sky deal had money involved, this current one isn't great, speedway will not be able to sell its rights, it will have to beg a tv company to take it for free

 

Unless buster replies to my email, no wonder the sport will never progress.....

[foamfence]

The old sky deal had money involved, this current one isn't great, speedway will not be able to sell its rights, it will have to beg a tv company to take it for free

 

Unless buster replies to my email, no wonder the sport will never progress.....

How do you know that it will have to (or want to) 'beg a TV company to take it for free'? Your last line makes no sense anyway.

[lynnboy]

Sky get speedway for a pittance anyway. People should be interested in the product which is the sport,not on manufactured violence.

So your telling me that when a couple of riders square up to each other the crowd at speedway does not get excited?? I beg to differ !!

The sport needs characters we only have Nicki Pedersen left now days, some of my favourite memories was watching Shane Parker at Kingslynn, people still talk now about his antics against Ipswich like when he tried to drive the tractor at Ipswich and then started fighting with the security guards lol. Buster running up to the refs box to complain against a decision!

 

My parents still talk about when riders use to stop after the race and confront the fans in the 70'sthe crowd use to love it, we have no characters in speedway like this nowadays and the sport needs them. If a rider even farts nowadays he gets fined. It does not hurt anyone if the riders had a fight on the track who are they going to hurt when their wearing crash helmets. But it generates exictment which in turns gets people talking which in turns brings in people through the turnstiles, people want a good nights entertainment good racing a bit of fun on and off the track.

[Trees]

So you've got to have fights and confrontations to be entertaining? I beg to differ I just want to see great racing with plenty of passes, team riding, crowd interaction, that's how I want the riders to show their passion, not with fisticuffs.

The fans then need to respond, we have to show our passion for our club and riders by raising the roof so to speak after a great race, which I know we do but a little bit extra cheering and not programme filling would add to the night 😂

Edited March 3, 2017 by Trees

[lynnboy]

So you've got to have fights and confrontations to be entertaining? I beg to differ I just want to see great racing with plenty of passes, team riding, crowd interaction, that's how I want the riders to show their passion, not with fisticuffs.

The fans then need to respond, we have to show our passion for our club and riders by raising the roof so to speak after a great race, which I know we do but a little bit extra cheering and not programme filling would add to the night 😂

So you are telling me trees that you did not like Shane Parker antics at when he was at Lynn and you did not use to like buster running up to the refs box or laying on the track ? I'm sure you went home talking about these things as well as good racing it's a show as well as racing

[Trees]

So you are telling me trees that you did not like Shane Parker antics at when he was at Lynn and you did not use to like buster running up to the refs box or laying on the track ? I'm sure you went home talking about these things as well as good racing it's a show as well as racing

Yes but I don't need that to have a good night, surely it's the speedway that really counts and what will get folk back week after week?

Some of my first and best memories of speedway that come to mind are of great races not incidents. Perhaps that's just how fans differ ......

[Bagpuss]

It is the speedway that counts Trees, but we need to be seeing nine or ten good races per meeting rather than nine or ten strung out processions and a few good tussles with perhaps one awesome heat if we are lucky.

 

I think a bit of needle helps but it's not the be all and end all.

[Rayleigh]

You are onto something here.

 

The greatest legend in my 47 years of going to speedway was Kelvin Mullarkey, his races with Battling Barney Kennett, "halfer" Browning (if you didn't see him you sure missed out an absolute man mountain), Alan Sage, 4 rides and 4 f/exc against Glasgow (must be a record) and the Muddy hall Fen Tigers are unforgettable memories. I have probably seen 6 track records broken and yet cant remember any of the races.

[Trees]

It is the speedway that counts Trees, but we need to be seeing nine or ten good races per meeting rather than nine or ten strung out processions and a few good tussles with perhaps one awesome heat if we are lucky.

 

I think a bit of needle helps but it's not the be all and end all.

100% agree GB!! So it has to be a collective effort by the promoters and riders to sort it. Provide the exciting action and the punters will come 😊

[lynnboy]

You are onto something here.

 

The greatest legend in my 47 years of going to speedway was Kelvin Mullarkey, his races with Battling Barney Kennett, "halfer" Browning (if you didn't see him you sure missed out an absolute man mountain), Alan Sage, 4 rides and 4 f/exc against Glasgow (must be a record) and the Muddy hall Fen Tigers are unforgettable memories. I have probably seen 6 track records broken and yet cant remember any of the races.

Exactly don't get me wrong we all go to speedway to see good racing but we all know we will not get it every race, it needs characters it needs other things to happen the sport is dying it need a sweep through with a big broom the promoters need to get together with the riders and get some characters back in the sport. The refs have spoilt it as nowadays they fine them for anything make it a show with pantamine villains if each team had them kids would love it

[Grand Central]

We do not know the actual full terms of the contract the BSPA has with Sky.

Although jchapman may do so more than the rest of us.

 

But we 'sort of know' that the BSPA is obligated to produce a minimum 8 team League that was at the time of agreement termed 'Eilte'.

And the renumeration (per match or whatever) sky paid would be laid down, I expect, in relation to that.

 

The change of name to the SGB Premiership MAY still be as acceptable to Sky as the 'elite' monker was.

But the 'eite league replacement' has a team strength set at ONLY 50 lower league points.

That is not 'elite' at all (and is not meant to be) when compared to the team strengths Sky were being offered at the time the contract was signed.

 

The 2017 Top League is starting with teams that are, at best, just the strength of those teams at the top of the 2016 Lower League.

I have said before that the changes to team building rules this winter are totally sensible for the sport itself.

But for an organistaion like Sky. I doubt it very much.

 

It would be surprising if there were not a contract clause dealing with this eventuality.

And IF Sky were run with this argument to get out of the remainder of the contract. Who could reasonably defend against it?

 

And why shouldn't BT or someone else pay less for any subsequent deal.

The BSPA ARE offering a lower standard product, after all.

We all know it, so will they.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Grand Central

[lynnboy]

We do not know the actual full terms of the contract the BSPA has with Sky.

Although jchapman may do so more than the rest of us.

 

But we 'sort of know' that the BSPA is obligated to produce a minimum 8 team League that was at the time of agreement termed 'Eilte'.

And the renumeration (per match or whatever) sky paid would be laid down, I expect, in relation to that.

 

The change of name to the SGB Premiership MAY still be as acceptable to Sky as the 'elite' monker was.

But the 'eite league replacement' has a team strength set at ONLY 50 lower league points.

That is not 'elite' at all (and is not meant to be) when compared to the team strengths Sky were being offered at the time the contract was signed.

 

The 2017 Top League is starting with teams that are, at best, just the strength of those teams at the top of the 2016 Lower League.

I have said before that the changes to team building rules this winter are totally senisble for the sport itself.

But for an organistaion like Sky. I doubt it very much.

 

It would be surprising if there were not a contract clause dealing with this eventuality.

And IF Sky were run with this argument to get out of the remainder of the contract. Who could reasonably defend against it?

 

And why shouldn't BT or someone else pay less for any subsequent deal.

The BSPA ARE offering a lower standard product, after all.

We all know it, so will they.

Top post

[CookieIpswich]

British Superbikes do not get money from Eurosport or ITV, its given free to provide exposure for the championship to gain sponsors for the series, teams and riders and they do a great job.

 

Speedway were fortunate to receive a generous deal last time as sky took title sponsorship, this time around they pay I believe per meeting that is broadcast that is all

 

With them cutting costs would speedway say no to live coverage but all sky so is cover their own cost? Sky are in a great position at the negotiation table

 

BT will be aware of all of this as would eurosport or itv4 etc

 

Tv companies want alot more than what speedway currently offers hence why it needs more than just new logos and new names for the leagues, there is alot of work needed and to be fair the rebrand should of happeneded after the fundamentals were put in place

 

Main issue being doubling up, the sport needs to regain its identity for clubs and fans, bspa needs fresh blood to take the sport forward into this era and to attract fans

 

Speedway don't need a tv deal anyway but they are not savvy enough to look at ither options I've even attempted to show them

[Hamish McRaker]

I think the promoters would keep the teams as they are, and hopefully do what any good promoter should do and go out and promote the sport !!

Bring back riders squaring up too each other look at the Boxing how they promote it too get people to buy the pay per view.

I think there must be some serious talks going on behind the scenes, if it is only BT interested in showing speedway they hold all the aces as they have no one to bid against they could get it for peanuts.this could be more than a nail in the coffin it could be the padlock that keeps it locked let's hope not

The GP circus has far too much "chuminess" between riders, lead by Mr Handcock's cliquey Monster bunch. Thank goodness there is still N.Pedersen who does not get involved in that nauseating schmaltz.

Maybe this is permeating to league racing, where riders are colleagues at one team in Poland, rivals with another, and similar with doubling up.

There's just too much niceness out there.

[lynnboy]

The GP circus has far too much "chuminess" between riders, lead by Mr Handcock's cliquey Monster bunch. Thank goodness there is still N.Pedersen who does not get involved in that nauseating schmaltz.

Maybe this is permeating to league racing, where riders are colleagues at one team in Poland, rivals with another, and similar with doubling up.

There's just too much niceness out there.

 

Exactly we need more mr nastys like Pedersen the fans love a villain look when he get introduced at Cardiff all you hear are boos. he is a character and probably the only one left. The sport will be worse off when he retires.