GROUP HUG

Last updated : 13 July 2004 By editor

Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists he has no intention of wrecking the Premier League's collective TV agreement even though the Old Trafford outfit are losing out to their major Spanish and Italian rivals.

Whereas leading clubs in La Liga and Serie A are free to negotiate their own television contracts, allowing the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus to cash in on their massive support base, United remain locked into the Premier League's deal with BSkyB that guarantees all clubs some income.

"I can't see a time when we sell our own TV rights independently of the Premier League because we can't operate on our own,"

"The new domestic TV deal comes into force next season for a three-year deal and we very much see the collective agreement being a key strength when negotiating such deals. Okay, the redistribution of monies isn't as great for the top clubs in England as it is for the top clubs in Spain and Italy where the top clubs get a lot, lot more than the bottom clubs. The top clubs do get a lot more than the bottom clubs in England but the gap isn't as wide and we think that's good for the product. That’s why the Premier League has been sold in international markets for an enhanced value on the previous deal."