Letter: Play the game

News that the BBC has pulled the plug on being host broadcaster for the 2014 Commonwealth Games (your report, 8 October) once again highlights the lack of investment in Scottish sport by the London-centric BBC.

Each year, the BBC spends in the region of 370 million on sports coverage, but refuses to give figures for coverage in Scotland, Ireland or Wales.

Despite having no rival bidders, in 2008 the BBC paid 200m for five-year TV rights to screen a minority sport, motor racing, which was 50m more than ITV had paid for its then current deal. At the same time, the BBC refused to spend 3m to cover Scotland international football matches.

The BBC is currently spending 20m a year covering ten live English Championship (second division) football matches, yet refused to even bid for the Scottish Premier League TV rights, thus deflating the eventual price paid.

It's time the BBC played fair with Scottish sports fans.

CALUM STEWART

Montague Street

Edinburgh