HUGE cash incentive for Sheffield United to bounce back up after new deal is agreed

A significant carrot in the form of a huge amount of cash has been chucked in front of Sheffield United as they bid to make a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
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The Blades’ two-season stint in the top flight will come to an end in a couple of weeks after a torturous campaign which also saw them lose talismanic manager Chris Wilder.

However, a massive incentive to make a quick comeback has been announced following the striking of a new TV rights deal.

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The Premier League has agreed to renew its £5billion domestic television deal in a move which provides greater financial certainty to clubs at all levels amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Presrenters for BT Sport work in their media booth as Sheffield United players warm up at Bramall Lane. (Photo by STU FORSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Presrenters for BT Sport work in their media booth as Sheffield United players warm up at Bramall Lane. (Photo by STU FORSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Presrenters for BT Sport work in their media booth as Sheffield United players warm up at Bramall Lane. (Photo by STU FORSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The English top flight sought and secured Government approval in principle to roll over its existing rights agreements with Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime Video and BBC Sport for a further three years, through to 2025.

Under normal circumstances the rights would have been contested in an open tender, but the league was able to demonstrate “exceptional and compelling reasons” to the Government for it to agree to an exclusion order under the Competition Act and go ahead with a private sale.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League would like to express our gratitude to our broadcast partners for their continued commitment to the Premier League and support for the football pyramid.

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“We are hugely appreciative of the Government agreeing in principle to allow this arrangement and for their continued support for the Premier League and the English game.

“Covid-19 has had a significant impact on football, and renewals with our UK broadcast partners will reduce uncertainty, generate stability and promote confidence within the football pyramid.

“We know that, once concluded, this will have a positive impact on the wider industry, jobs and tax revenues and will enable us to maintain and increase our existing solidarity and community financial commitments to the football pyramid for the next four years, even though we are yet to understand the full impact of the pandemic.

“It comes at an important time and will enable us to plan ahead with increased certainty against a more stable economic backdrop.

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“Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime Video and BBC Sport are excellent partners and provide fantastic coverage and programming to bring our competition to fans in the UK.”

It has also been announced that a further £100 million will be offereed by the Premier League to clubs beneath the top flight, following a season of severe struggles due to the pandemic.