Irish network goes out with a mushy compilation tribute

Three weeks ago we suggested the England/ Kazakhstan game would be Setanta’s last, and yesterday our prophecy of doom finally came to pass*. As you know by now, the Irish broadcaster was the latest victim of the financial nuclear winter, as they failed to honour the payments on their hugely over-priced TV rights packages.

Setanta finished broadcasting in the UK at 6pm last night, but not before a gushing self-tribute from the nation’s second favourite 24-hour Sport news channel.

The farewell compilation they showed was a little anti-climactic (who could forget the Steve Claridge phone-in?), but we like the line about delivering sports news “regardless of the rights holder” - a clear reference to Sky Sports News’ tendency to pretend a sporting event doesn’t exist if a rival is showing it.

*Technically, Azerbaijan/ Wales was the last game as it was broadcast later in the day. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter as no one cares.

[101GG]

Irish TV network is on the brink of collapse

Since they lost half of their Premier League live rights for the 2010-2011 season, Setanta Sports have been teetering closer and closer towards administration.

The Ireland-based TV network have been unable to pay a £3m bill to the Scottish Premier League, which doesn’t put them in a particularly good position to pay the impending £40m bill coming from the English Premier League. They must now rely on hefty investment from third parties or a takeover bid to stop them collapsing.

If Setanta were to become insolvent, a fire sale of all their TV rights would probably occur, meaning their grossly overvalued contracts (including the £425m one for England and FA Cup games) could fall into the hands of rivals for knock-down prices.

A surprise lifeline may actually come from big-dog rivals Sky, who have been asked to provide a £50m interest free loan in exchange for Setanta becoming part of the Sky Sports package.It may sound like a bizarre request, but it is actually in Sky’s interest to keep their weak competitor afloat, rather than letting a huge shark like ESPN into the tank. It is The Spoiler’s understanding that BSkyB will do just about anything

Supermodel WAG persuades Brazilians to buy Sky TV

She may have an unorthodox method of wearing shinpads, but Gisele Bündchen looks better than most in a football kit.

As the richest supermodel in the world (who won a million dollars betting on Inter Milan), one wouldn’t expect Gisele to do adverts for Sky TV to pay the bills, but we’re very thankful she did.

[Footbolita via The Offside]

Liverpool captain gives his groin a good airing live on television

Alan Smith looks on with mild confusion as Steven Gerrard shows Jamie Redknapp the range of groin movement afforded by his super fierce tight suit.

[Spotted on Off The Post]

Or should that be Sky’s Fatzone…

This is how two passionate fans saw the key moments from Aston Villa’s remarkable 3-2 win at Everton. Get in there, indeed.

WARNING: If the sight of wobbly man flesh makes you nauseous, don’t watch the last bit.