TV deal lets Sky do anything it wants says Leeds legend Peter Lorimer

Lorimer, writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, said too much focus was put on money and too little on consequences for the clubs.

He said: “You can’t deny that clubs in the Championship benefit from Sky’s millions but it’s becoming clear that the League gave too little thought to the overall, long-term effects of the deal.

“Nobody seems to know what exactly is in the contract with Sky, but looking from the outside it seems to me that they have carte blanche to do whatever they please.

“They’ve jumped on the bandwagon of the Championship in a big way this season and I suspect that’s down to the fact that they’ve lost the rights to the Champions League. Fresh viewing figures need to come from somewhere.

“They pay their money and they have their demands but, quite frankly, the anger among Leeds United’s supporters should be easy to understand. We’ve had far too many televised games this season and far too many changes to our fixture list. The late switch of the Middlesbrough game next month – no matter the reasons – really is one kick in the teeth too many.”

Lorimer said Leeds was a victim of its popularity, adding: “What that means for Sky is firstly big TV audiences and secondly decent crowds inside the stadiums. The second point is an important one. In order to sell the Championship as a credible competition, Sky need attendances and atmospheres. Viewers will naturally drift away if stadiums are half-empty.”