EXCLUSIVE: Rangers prepare to fight SPFL’s new sponsorship deal with Scottish vodka distillery as potential ‘NUCLEAR’ row leaves other Premiership clubs fearing financial consequences if deal is rejected
- Rangers are headed for a new legal battle with the Scottish Premiership
- League bosses are about to renew a business deal with Glen’s Vodka
- But the Rangers aren’t happy with the level of corporate governance in the league.
The SPFL and Rangers are headed for an explosive new legal dispute over a second sponsorship deal.
The league bosses are about to renew an existing business link with the Loch Lomond Group, producers of Glen’s Vodka.
And Rangers have written to SPFL Premiership clubs warning that they feel unable to comply with any aspect of the new deal.
The move is an escalation of a longstanding dispute over another major sponsorship with online car firm Cinch.
The Scottish Cup champions argued that they were under no obligation to honor the cinch contract because they already had an agreement with Park’s Motor Group, owned by Chairman Douglas Park, which also deals in second-hand cars.
Rangers are set for an explosive legal battle with the SPFL over a new sponsorship deal
The Rangers are not happy about the renewal of an endorsement contract with the vodka distillery Glen’s Vodka
Despite the league negotiating a new contract that did not place the responsibility on Rangers to display the cinch brand, attempts to convene a clear club summit late last year ended in failure.
After a brief hiatus, the dispute has now been resurrected after Rangers argued that the new resolution voted by the clubs exempted them from promoting any sponsorship deal agreed to by the SPFL before the end of the cinch contract in 2026.
The two parties disagree on the legal interpretation of a resolution stating that: ‘The SPFL will not grant (or permit the granting of) ranger-related rights (or any similar rights) that imply sponsorship or similar association with the SPFL , the League or the Divisions, to any third party at any time during the Remaining Term.’
In December 2020, Glen promised to “work closely with the SPFL and many of its clubs in league and cup competitions over the next three seasons.”
The Ibrox club is unhappy with the level of corporate governance within the league
Rangers managing director Stewart Robinson (pictured) warned of rising legal costs
With the current contract due to expire at the end of this season, renewal discussions are at an advanced stage and clubs fear the financial impact if Rangers refuse to comply.
A club source told Sportsmail on Friday night that the new row has the potential to go ‘nuclear’.
The Ibrox club have raised public concerns about the level of corporate governance at SPFL, calling on bosses chief executive Neil Doncaster, chairman Murdoch MacLennan and legal adviser Rod McKenzie.
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson has also warned all 42 top-flight teams of mounting legal costs as the rancor continues. For their part, the SPFL is confident that they have stuck to the book in their dealings with all parties.