Bonus day for clubs as League nets £110m deal

The Football League has announced a new three-year deal with Sky Sports and ITV believed to be worth around £110m - a 40 per cent increase in revenue.

The Football League has announced a new three-year deal with Sky Sports and ITV believed to be worth around £110m - a 40 per cent increase in revenue.

The previous deal was worth £25m a season over four years but in a market where TV rights are facing a downturn in value, the League has negotiated a substantial increase.

The new agreement will see Sky broadcast around 100 live matches a season from the Football League's competitions, while ITV will continue with its Sunday morning The Championship programme as well as regional highlights programmes.

Sir Brian Mawhinney, the chairman of the Football League, feels the deal is an indication of the positive feeling surrounding the game outside the Premiership. "Crowds have increased yet again, as have viewing figures, and we are also delivering on the promise we made to increase our clubs' commercial revenues," he said.

"This new agreement is recognition of the outstanding entertainment our clubs provide their viewers week in, week out, throughout the season."

Each of the 72 league clubs will receive an increase in revenue.