SPFL hope to almost double TV revenue with the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Rangers

SCOTLAND’S league chiefs are convinced the Steven Gerrard factor will help them near double their television cash.

Under the terms of the current agreement, the country receives £16m per season in revenue. With various other rights, the annual take is around £20m.

The current deal still has three years to run, but the SPFL believe it is too low and are in the midst of negotiations with broadcasters, aimed at securing an improved package.

BT Sport have already been credited with a desire to strike a new deal which would see them go it alone from mid-2020.

And they are understood to be privately thrilled with Rangers’ recruitment of Gerrard as their new manager.

Sources says they feel the arrival of the Champions League winner will add huge value to the domestic game as he is a figure who is known throughout the football world.

Having been optimistic of getting a larger contract, they are now convinced this will be the boost they need to get it over the line.

The SPFL had already been massively heartened by the emergence of Eleven Sports as a new player in the market.

They hit the headlines last week when they trumped SKY Sports for British TV rights to televise La Liga.

And having achieved that success, they have turned their attention to capturing other deals in the UK.

Founded three years ago, they are owned by Andrea Radrizzani, the Italian who came to prominence here when appointed as Leeds United chairman in 2017.

Eleven Sports are established in several European countries, including Italy, Belgium and Poland, as well as the United States, Singapore and Taiwan.

It doesn’t end there, with Amazon also reported to be considering an experiment in the football rights market with a smaller league.

Gerrard’s arrival is not the only reason why SPFL leaders believe they have an attractive product to offer.

They have also been cheered by the re-emergence of Hibernian as a force in the game, and the dramatic improvement in Kilmarnock under the charge of Steve Clarke.

So, all in all, they are now confident they can bring in a figure approaching £40m, near double the existing figure.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Academy coach, Michael Beale, is set to join Gerrard’s backroom team, which also includes another ex-Red, Gary McAllister as his No.2.