Portsmouth to ‘suck up Sky Sports news’ as revenues double – Exclusive
Portsmouth are primed to reap the financial rewards of Sky Sports for a second successive season in the Championship.
All opening games of the EFL campaign will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, including Saturday 3 pm kick-offs.
That is because the Premier League season begins a week later than the Championship, meaning that the blackout is not in play.
Pompey’s clash with Southampton is already confirmed to be televised, in what will be one of the games of the Championship season.
Rescheduled dates and times come with the positives, though, and that has always been an issue.
Sky Sports disruption worth it for Portsmouth
Having secured their Championship status for another season, Portsmouth face a more positive financial future.
The Fratton Park club will start the season at Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on 9 August at 3 pm, with the fixture being televised by Sky Sports.
While there have been some complaints, football finance expert Dan Plumley has explained the financial rewards.
“Ultimately, yes, if you look at that deal,” he exclusively told Pompey News when asked if the South Coast side would have to suck it up, given the money funded by Sky.
“We’re into the second year of that deal, and I know there were fixture changes last season as well.
“But, they have said they’ll do this first wave and up until near enough to the FA Cup 3rd round in January at various points, so at least clubs will know where they’re at, and then they can’t be moved much further.
“I understand the fan aspect of that as well, and it’s what the clubs will say, but ultimately the club’s signed up for the deal.
“If you look at the terms of that deal, it was a 50 per cent increase overall on the previous one per club.
“When we see some of those figures from what they’ve got this season, it’s going to mean an uplift, and they’ll get the same uplift again this season, and ultimately that will be worth more than any real disruption caused by the fixture changes.
“Ultimately, the value of the deal was far more beneficial to take and have the downside of some of the disruption to deal with.”
John Mousinho primed to make more progress at Fratton Park
After a fine run at the end of the last campaign, John Mousinho will be striving to make further progress next season.
Of course, it will not be easy, given the sheer quality of teams lined up in the Championship again.
Not only are three strong teams falling from the Premier League, but the likes of Birmingham City and Wrexham could excel.
However, Pompey supporters can have faith in Mousinho, who has achieved great things as Portsmouth boss.
The Fratton Park club will be looking up, rather than down, in the Championship.
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