Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Stewart Regan has said the uncertainty over the restructuring of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) is impacting on the attempt to attract a new title sponsor for the league, according to the BBC Sport website.
Clydesdale Bank has been title sponsor of the SPL since 2007, but its deal is due to expire this summer and the SPL is under pressure to find a replacement for next season – amid the uncertainty of the proposed league restructure.
SPL clubs have agreed on measures that would deliver a merged league body in time for the 2013-14 season. This governing organisation would oversee the current 12-10-10-10 divisional structure, but with greater financial redistribution to the second tier. The SPL is also keen to introduce a play-off system between the 11th-placed SPL team and the teams second, third and fourth in the division below.
Scottish Football League (SFL) clubs are yet to vote on the plans as uncertainty surrounding the proposed restructure continues.
“It's no surprise that, with so much uncertainty in the shape of the competition; the number of teams; whether there's play-offs; one or two leagues, it's difficult to give certainty to commercial partners,” Regan said. “I know there's work going on in the background. Hopefully, reconstruction will deliver some positive outcomes so we can get some certainty for the fans in particular, as well as the club chairmen.”