Confident: Peter Tom
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Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom is confident the Aviva Premiership salary cap is set for an increase next season due to the BT broadcast deal.
Tom, who has been opposed to the cap since its inception, watched his side edge past the big-spending Toulouse in the Heineken Cup Pools.
And he believes the gap between the English and French club's financial budget is set to decrease.
"I have never been in favour of the salary cap and I am still not," he told the Leicester Mercury.
"I understand why it is there. Lots of people say it provides a service but it's up to the (Premier Rugby) board to decide what is carried.
"We are entering into a period where a new deal has just been done with the English players and BT have signed a good deal with English clubs, so I would be very surprised if we don't see the salary cap move up.
"And I would be surprised if it didn't happen next year."
Comments
Ybgurrrrr says...
Does anyone remember when Setanta tried to pay their way into the UK TV audience? Or ITV digital for that matter?
Paying over the odds for TV rights is not a good longterm strategy and does not guarantee sufficient revenue to survive the huge commitment to outgoings.
Posted 17:30 31st January 2013
alanatleeds says...
With due respect to Sky, BT and ESPN I just wish it was on terrestial TV. As a minority sport in the UK the vastly increased exposure would encourage youngsters to give RU a try.
Posted 18:47 30th January 2013
melkdave says...
I dont think any thing is going to really change ,We will just have an extra channal in the sports package if your with SKY or Virgin.Another good thing that might come from this deal,apart from the increase in the cap ectfor clubs and hopefully a better HCwhere teams qualify on merit.Is it opens the possibility of a dedicated rugby channal ,showing games from acoss the world AP,S15, T14,RC Pacific cup.European nations ITM,Currie ect ,that imo,would be fantastic.
Posted 17:04 30th January 2013
TVaddict says...
@APV1
I believe on BT it's the same as the others, as in you can pay extra to get Sky Sports as well.
Posted 14:44 30th January 2013
froggy73 says...
Do you guys know where the Heineken Cup will be broadcasted next year ?
Would Sky keep it or will this also switched to BT (the latter meaning I would cancel Sky) ?
Posted 14:16 30th January 2013
lawynd says...
I suspect Sky, if they can't help ERC to scupper the deal, will be able to get access in any case, the same way that Virgin and BT forced the issue regarding Sky Sports for their customers. I won't be switching, although if it means no rugby on ESPN besides the Top 14, I'll be cancelling that.
Posted 13:27 30th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ physiodan - I subscribe to Sky, almost entirely for the Sky Sports package. Can you get this with BT? I wouldn't want to miss the rugby, with cricket and F1 also often-watched.
Posted 12:44 30th January 2013
physiodan says...
I have BT vision and I find it good service and bought it for the ESPN but its biggest downfall is that there is no HD channels available. This may change but Sport in HD is so much better and it would be a backwards step if this does not come with the new package.
Posted 10:01 30th January 2013
99call says...
Its funny I dont actually know anyone whos got the BT TV set up and I cant see a mass exodus from SKY
BT vision isnt available in Ireland so I doubt the irish sides will sign up to is as their supports wont be able to see any games which will make it interesting come european cup time
Posted 09:38 30th January 2013