Football: TV DEAL HALTS PANIC MOVES

THE new pounds 1billion TV soccer deal will mean stability for clubs and not transfer activity, according to Premier League boss Richard Scudamore.

He said club chairmen were "relieved" more than anything else at the figure they received for the rights to live matches and highlights.

BSkyB are paying pounds 1.024bn for 138 matches over three seasons from 2004-5. The BBC are paying pounds 105million for highlights.

Chief executive Scudamore believes that rather than spend the cash on a wave of new transfers, the clubs will appreciate the firm footing the game now has.

He said: "We certainly feel this deal will bring an air of stability back into football.

"There has been a lot more sensible reaction from clubs over the past 18 months and I don't think this will spark any wild activity in either direction. The chairmen are relieved but they are realistic. None of them are jumping around celebrating, it's business as usual and it is a good message.

"In terms of finances clubs can now plan on a much sounder footing."

Scudamore also reckons there is a lot more money to come from the media in the years ahead. He added: "We've gone into the media market at probably the lowest level for some time and I think it will come back even stronger in the next two to three years.

"I'm certainly not saying this is it for ever. I believe the Premier League will go from strength to strength and I see better times ahead for media values. The future is quite rosy."

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