Broadcaster Setanta in turmoil after failing to make $5 million payment to Scottish league

Setanta fails to make payment to Scottish league

LONDON — Setanta has failed to make a payment to the Scottish Premier League to screen live matches in Britain, casting further doubt on the future of the troubled broadcaster.

Monday’s announcement that Setanta didn’t make a $5 million payment as scheduled could have severe implications for smaller Scottish clubs.

Setanta is battling against a collapse after a potential rescue package fell through last week. As a result, the company failed to meet a payment deadline with the English Premier League.

Both leagues are now looking to resell the packages Setanta held.

Setanta executives spent the weekend trying to save the broadcaster, which has channels in Britain, Ireland, North America and Australia.

Deloitte has been lined up to act as administrator should the broadcaster, which employs 430 people, declare bankruptcy.

Setanta also holds the rights to other major sporting events, including the FA Cup, some England football internationals, US PGA golf and Premiership rugby from 2010.

The English Premier League will have few problems reselling the two packages of live rights, with Sky and ESPN the front-runners.