Sky Sports: TV deal can make SWPL 'bigger and better' - Gibson

Hibernian head coach Dean Gibson excited by new SWPL 1 deal with Sky Sports

Sky Sports’ new TV deal with SWPL 1 will lead to the league getting “bigger and stronger”, believes Hibernian head coach Dean Gibson.

For the first time, the broadcaster will show live Scottish Women's Premier League action from this season and become the title sponsor of the SWPL League Cup for the next seven campaigns.

A minimum of five SWPL or League Cup matches will be broadcast exclusively live every season from 2022/23, with the option of an additional five possible.

“I can’t see any negatives to the deal,” said Gibson.

“The important part is getting it on the big platform and showing to the UK how positive it is and how much it has grown, and it helps us going forward.”

Last season Rangers clinched their first ever league title, with Celtic winning both domestic knockout cups.

After seven league games this season, deposed champions Glasgow City are level on points with both the Old Firm, with Rangers currently leading only on goal difference.

Gibson, whose side narrowly lost 1-0 to Rangers at Meadowbank on Sunday, believes that exciting title race is one of many reason why Sky have chosen to get involved.

He said: “If the product wasn’t good Sky wouldn’t have touched it.

“If they didn’t think it was a competitive league they wouldn’t do it, so now with the games being on Sky it will allow people to see it for themselves.

“I think now we have even more teams that are competing and the games are tight nine times out of 10 and hopefully will help add to attendance.”

‘Massive step forward’

Hamilton assistant head coach Robert Watson says the increased coverage will help to make the SWPL more attractive.

“It’s such a massive step forward for the game,” said Watson.

“Having sponsors in the past - obviously we are happy with that - but when someone like Sky Sports who are such a global brand and being associated with them gives a bigger level of glamour to them.

“I think when you see the coverage down south and the people who view their game, it’s hopefully it’s the first steps forward to having that level of coverage so I’m really excited about it.

“Sky will increase the visibility of the game whether that’s a live game or even something simple such as results and my only one criticism is you don’t see that enough up here. It’s good to see the highlights up here but I don’t feel it’s enough general media.”