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I don't want a discount.

I’ll be surprised if there is any meaningful transfer market this summer.

I expect there will be a vis major clause, but although it removes or reduces liability, I still can't see it resulting in the clubs being paid in full. The clause isn't used for this purpose so I doubt it applies. I think you're right that many season ticket holders will, however I expect many others will not claim compensations or refunds, recognising the damage it will do to the club. Certainly @compo is understandably looking for something, given the number of tickets he has paid for. I think the TV companies will try to be seen to be helpful but if I'm a shareholder of those companies, I'd expect the management team to recover costs or establish some sort of future value. Either way, the clubs will have to pay for this, especially in England. The panic created at the moment has far more serious consequences than its impact on football clubs but since this is our Rangers forum it makes sense to discuss the possible impacts on our club. Providing the majority of ST holders don't expect much of a refund, I think we should be in a decent position. I read somewhere (maybe in last year's annual report?) that the cost of matchdays meant that our gate receipts were almost all swallowed up by those costs. If that's still the case then we should not be impacted so much by the loss of games. Our income would be zero but the matchday costs are zero too. It'll be sponsorship commitments that will be damaged so again it's down to our contracts with them. Up to now our ability to have decent contracts is in question so that might be a problem. The most immediate battle however is ensuring that the east end mob don't get away with stealing this title. p.s. I understand that the expectation of this virus is that it will continue for the next year infecting around 10-15% of the population. I know the chief medic and adviser had hoped it was a winter virus but if this continues into the summer and beyond, as experts are now claiming it will, and players are included in that, I can't see how we will have any meaningful league next season either. That's disastrous for football, and even worse for the wider economy.

There is a global situation where a lot of people will die and businesses, including football clubs, will go to the wall and folk are seriously bothered about Sky and BT? I'm genuinely baffled by that.

How many people will be prepared to renew season tickets this year? Most will want to, some won't be able to, many will have other priorities.

BT Sport and Sky (and their continental equivalents) will want to stay 'onside' with the bigger leagues and clubs and aim to help them as much as they can, expecting something back in return in the future, but they'll have some serious scheduling issues. With no football (or rugby, cricket etc) their channels will be forced to show reruns and while that will draw an audience it will be less than normal. I suspect subscription numbers will remain steady at first, particularly if thousands of people are forced to stay at home for long periods, however advertising revenue will fall without a doubt. That will be compounded by advertisers reviewing when they advertise. Food stuffs and weekly household staples are doing very well just now, but new cars, holidays and gambling, the staples of sport's advertising are in rapid meltdown so expect them to pull budgets and reduce costs in the coming weeks. As such the TV stations can't give money to clubs they simply don't have. The other big unknown for the subscription TV channels is a short term economic hit to the general public. A company I know well just put all of its staff on a compulsory 4 day week, in real terms everyone is taking a 20% pay cut. That forces people to review domestic spending and so things like Sky TV subscription get chopped, particularly if there's no sport to watch anyway. I suspect we'll start to see lots of this in the coming weeks. While it feels callous to speak about the economic impact of coronavirus when people are dying, the reality is a 2 or 3 month virtual shutdown will have a catastrophic impact on many businesses. That will affect all of us, directly or indirectly. In my opinion, Scottish football is in for a very challenging few months. Most clubs, with the arguable exception of Rangers and Celtic, rely on gate money to survive. Rangers and Celtic have a far higher percentage of season ticket holders who have already paid, so they have the bulk of their cash already, although if people start to demand it back, and that might happen if you lose your job, then they'll be just as affected. So for your standard SPFL club like St Johnstone or Kilmarnock, the loss of fortnightly gate receipts, programme sales, catering and hospitality will mean their only source of income is TV money and merchandise. So if the TV companies can't or won't pay, those clubs are in serious difficulties. It's not unrealistic to predict they'll be forced to release players because they simply can't pay them, backroom staff, groundstaff and so on might be forced to leave or work for no salary. We could see good sized, otherwise well run, Scottish SPFL sides forced to play youths when the league starts again. Or, footballers, like everyone else, might accept we're living in exceptional times, and take a short term hit, in the hope of picking up where they left off in a few months time. I'm becoming less bothered about this season now. If the decision is taken to end the season now and award Celtic the title and relegate Hearts then so be it. We've only ourselves to blame for being 13 points behind them after all. I still think the season should simply be scrapped, no one is promoted or relegated, no one is Champions, use the current places to award European places (if that resumes in time) and whatever prize money is being awarded. I'd be open to having a 2019/20/21 season, simply keep playing come September or whenever it all starts again (I can't see things returning to normal before then, but what do I know about anything) and have a 60 game season finishing in April 2021. I mean in the end it doesn't really matter, what we want are meaningful matches to return, so if it's one long but truncated season, or one shorter season I'm relaxed, just bring it back as soon as possible.

Self Interest Dominates. It's plus ca change on the national broadcaster today. Forget Sporting Integrity, the usual suspects are going with self interest. Big Dick wants the season completed whenever that may be, all games in all competitions must be played. Amazingly, Derek McInnes said the same thing last night. Tam Cowan wants it suspended, thus Motherwell qualify for Europe. DrStu' wants it declared null and void, unless St Johnstone are allowed to play their game in hand(against us), gain three points and finish above Hibs. Apparently, worth another £150,000 on league placing. I could go on, but the epitome of self interest arose when DrStu' noted his Twitter feed was showing the German government had okayed a fund for paying Freelancers reporting on Sports and Arts. Big Dick was adamant Nicola Sturgeon must follow suit. DrStu' and Tam C chorused approval. Their standard of life comes before the state of Scottish football, ALWAYS.

You could be right Bill, outside of out of contract players, I can't see anyone investing big bucks with so much uncertainty. Unless, there's massive reorg of our season's timing and therefore transfer open and closing times - which wholly depends on whether seasons play to a close and next season is completely revamped.

Could be some good deals out there in the summer might get Kamberi on the cheap plus Dundee United are gonna be desperate if they don't go up so shankland could be another cheap one

When this season is formally cancelled I wonder how many clubs will collapse. Perhaps this will be the final nail in the coffin for those who rely on our supporters to keep them afloat. Maybe this will finally be the end of a lot of those horrid clubs that wanted to cut off their nose to spit even their face when they voted to send us down. I don't want any of them saved, unless their own supporters bail them out themselves. What is much more worrying however is the thousands of businesses that will collapse if this panic continues. It could end up with us facing a much bigger economic and social problem. The media has a lot to answer for here, and of course it may then contribute to their collapse too. I also wonder what is happening with the legal teams at the likes of BTsport, Sky, etc. They've paid for a product that hasn't been delivered so will they attempt to recoup the money they've paid to the various leagues? It wouldn't take much of a swing to cause collapse of some huge clubs in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Maybe the lack of television based funding could be a blessing in disguise for our league.

This is one of the stupidest ideas that I've ever encountered. These people rake money in and already rob the public with help from the government. No extra help is required for these freeloaders!

Agreed. I'm hoping the bigger leagues make a null and void decision, which would make the Scottish football authorities look even more like a diddy, tin-pot set-up if they don't follow suit. Have to say, I'd feel for genuine Liverpool supporters - that would be one Hell of a boot in the baws because their lead is unassailable. Dundee United fans, on the other hand...?

I’d love to agree with everything you said, and I may have done a few weeks ago, but now I think your POV is highly optimistic (50million income for those 3)

How can this season resume in August? Players whose contracts finish at the end of this season will have left their clubs by then. Smaller clubs which have large turnovers of players might not be able to complete their fixtures due to not having sufficient players. And would clubs new signings be able to play for their new clubs to finish the old season? A farce awaits...

"Weak, feeble, poor, abject, pathetic". A week away, on an island where the sunshine spends the winter. Relaxation, catching up with some old friends, the occasional culinary triumph, and listening to Malloquines express growing concern over the number of cruise ships docking daily in Palma. Incubators of virus or necessary bringers of tourism euros? Last year, the viral complaint was these cruise ships are all inclusive and they buy nothing in Palma. I read an article in the island paper, 'Ultima Hora' questioning any indulgence of Mallorquine culture by those cruising? They asked, 'how many ate Sobrasada and drank Tunel? The herb liqueur is a big ask but Sobrasada is a picante tasting sausage of the parts of a pig no one wants, including the squeal. Last evening, I drove from the Airport to the game, turned on the national broadcaster for team news. David Currie had Chic Young and Billy Dodds talking all things coronavirus. Clubs without appropriate insurance will be sweating, Directors are breathless at the prospect of sudden stoppage of income flow, and concern for the plight of Scott Brown and Neil Lennon not being awarded the championship, was vomit inducing. Currie aplogised for the introduction of a stuck pig with a booming squeal, Tom English had been stuck in traffic and was 15 minute late. Tom rattled the pathetic nature of Scottish football's hand to mouth existence. He wasn't surprised by it, and the SPL and SFA statement on no emergency funding in place was expected. BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer was mid flow in his Scottish football condemnation when Liam McLeod appeared with team news. Rangers were given as a 4-3-3 and substitutes named. Bayer Leverkusen were named with accompanying pen pictures. Their values were purred over and the last two mentioned had added endorsements, both were French under 21s and good friends with Odsonne Edouard. Rangers were facing a big step up from Braga. Tom was asked to comment on the given team news, and Tom continued his curmudgeon tone, .......... weak, feeble, abject, poor, pathetic ...., etc. I thought, here we are in the middle of March, a Scots team has made the last 16 of the Europa Cup, having started in late July. Seventeen games of success, adding to the Scottish co-efficient and breaking a few records. Where is the balance? Objectivity is unwanted and it's interference will not be allowed. Pig headed bluster determined not to praise the club continuing to carry the Scottish standard in Europe. Tom raised questions on Gerrard, Morelos, Kent, Tav', and Goldson. They have no mental toughness, "Celtic asked the questions and they have no answers". On the night of possibly Scots participation in Europe ending for another season, the Chief Sports Writer off BBC Scotland told us, "forget Europe", they cannot compete with Hearts, Hamilton, and St Johnstone. Suffice to say, he turned up late and gave us his preferred prejudice. A celebration of Scots participation in Europe cannot be expressed if it's the wrong Scots club. Further, expressing solidarity with Michael Stewart, Jum Spence, DrStu', and all the haters is far more important going forward .................... to talk about rugby or ra Sellik. I switched off, turned back on in an attempt to receive an explanation over the VAR decision. Big Dick, Liam McLeod, Billy Dodds, and Neil McCann were in a PQ studio declaring a definite penalty. Then, they returned to Coronavirus and Big Dick introduced a text he had received from his daughter, 'the Fintry Amateur Dramatic Society have announced the postponement of their production of Calamity Jane in April, it will now take place in October'. Fitting really, reveals PQ's priorities better than anything written on this thread!

Listening to some of the doctors/scientists yesterday they dont expect this virus to peak until August that's usually when seasons start , so draw a line under this season and just declare it void .

It’s simple. A season is 38 games. If you can’t play 38 games you can’t have a result.

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall. Donalda MacKinnon, Director of BBC Scotland has announced her intention to resign in the coming Autumn. She will have held the post for less than four years. Donalda lasted five years as Chair of St Aloysius PTA. The launch of BBC Scotland's second channel cost £32 million and Donalda was wholly positive on the opportunities available, the improvement on skills 'levels, and the application of Scotland's voice in a most competitive market. One of her biggest cheerleaders, DrStu' added support, welcoming a new, modern Scotland having the maturity to put it's own spin on world events. A year down the line, and the channel has quietly submerged. Initial viewing figures were poor, and have steadily decreased. Seventeen shows registered zero viewing figures. The tide is high, and Donalda is not holding on. She has decided to push off into the Clyde on a Pedalo, going with the flow. Job done? Donalda and her Cheerleaders gave notice today, the workers on the new channel have their jobs guaranteed for the next year. I believe a number signed up on three - four year contracts. DrStu' and Eammon O'Neill announced their new Media Review show, the Big Light will be presented by Podcast. DrStu' remains for Off the Ball because the exposure is most necessary, but half an eye remains on the Pedalo's five remaining seats. Staffers are safe for now, Freelancers have been the Pirates. Raiding a few slices from the £32 million dripping roast helps with the school fees, the community fees on foreign properties, and the initial capital outlays for the next projects. I note one of the constant complaints about the channel's flagship shows, 'the Nine' and 'the Seven' was the insistence on the Presenters wearing jeans and trainers. I propose FlowJob, the Drag Artist that read a story to Primary 1 pupils at Glencoat Primary School in Paisley with the assistance of Mhairi Black MP, should take over presenting duties? At least, she would insist on wearing a better pair of shoes. Him/Her, and Michael Stewart would be perfect together, competing for custodial rights to the Fisting Glove. Yep, Michael is back and DrStu' is cock a hoop, it's his preferred combination. Less well publicised was OfCom kicking-out ra Sellik's complaint on Sky TV's interview with Alfredo Morelos. Quietly, on Monday night the broadcast thoughts of DrStu looking forward immensely to OfCom publishing all the names and revealing the subterfuge; were stymied by a refusal to accept a complaint. One committee torpedoes hopes, another, the SFA Disciplinary blows your ballast. James Keatings has his red card overturned and more shite floats to the surface. Michael Stewart tweeted on the Rangers 18 year old player smiling as the Inverness player was sent off? He wanted the colt player done. What is it with prominent Nationalists abusing teenagers by text? Talking of nationalism, on Saturday Tam and DrStu' had Andrew Wilson on as a guest. A former SNP MSP and Director of Motherwell. He was far more subtle than Michael, obviously a more careful hater of the H-u-ns. Despairing of the current state of Scotland's ability to produce decent youth players, he found fault with the old firm on three separate occasions. He acknowledged both old firm clubs had their own legitimate concerns to pursue, but each time he provided an example of the problem. Everyone of those examples was a Motherwell youth being stymied in his development by leaving for Rangers. He named both Miller and Hastie. Another problem in Scottish football laid at Rangers door, without counter argument. Now, I hope no Rangers supporter takes the literal interpretation. I mean we do not want the repetition of Michael Stewart pointing the finger at James Traynor and the former Journo being bricked in the face a week later. PQ's re-hiring of Freelancer, Michael Stewart is because he is a willing useful idiot with lots more fingers to point. When Donalda's Pedalo leaves the slip, let's hope Rangers supporters line the Quay and provide her with a Viking funeral. Those Danes know how to administer a finish.