PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are embroiled in a fresh row over TV money as they get ready to return.
Teams are growing unhappy with Sky Sports, claiming the broadcaster is moaning about paying LESS money for MORE games.
Prem chairmen have noted that Sky’s German offshoot has demanded a much lower percentage back from Bundesliga clubs, who returned to action at the weekend.
Today’s video conference of the 20 Prem teams includes the vote to confirm a formal return to non-contact training from tomorrow.
But it will be followed by debates of other issues that have divided clubs and Prem execs.
After discussions with the Government, just “two or three” of the remaining 92 games will be screened live on the BBC, the first time matches will have been shown on a terrestrial channel since the 1992 breakaway.
But SunSport can reveal a significant number of clubs are furious at being forced to accept a £330million cut in broadcasting revenues despite allowing the majority of the remaining matches to be shown by pay TV companies.
Sky and BT will show the 47 prime games agreed on their subscription channels.
But the bulk of the other 45 matches would also be available to fans for free on a mix of the pay TV broadcasters’ own streaming, YouTube and Freeview channels.
One club boss said: “The first plan from the Government would have seen a lot more games on the BBC.
“Sky and BT got their way and it will be just two or three. We get why they wanted to retain exclusivity but they’re still not happy and that seems very unfair to us.
“When the Premier League comes back, ratings will go through the roof and they will show even more matches than they were due to have.
“At the same time, they are asking for a far bigger rebate from us than they have in Germany. A lot of clubs are not happy.”
Clubs were told last week that, even if the season is completed, the broadcasters — domestic and international — will demand a £330m rebate. If there is no resumption it would cost £760m.
Sky and BT, who have allowed subscribers to halt payments at a cost of more than £30m, are understood to be unhappy at the imminent loss of their prized exclusivity.
