However, any attempt to bump up the current maximum of 60 games a season would require a substantial increase in the £30million per annum currently paid by Sky Sports.

A change would also require an 11-1 vote, a high bar to reach on an issue which divides opinion amongst clubs in the top 12.

The SPFL Premiership currently ranks seventh in the total top-flight European attendance chart with an average crowd of 17,903.

Per head of population the league also has the highest figure in Europe of 19.37 spectators per 1000 residents and Herald Sport understands Premiership clubs will require a compelling, persuasive offer to place their matchday income at risk.

As things stand, opinions on the issue are mixed. While some are willing to gamble on selling more games to a committed broadcaster in order to make more money, others would rather protect attendances by limiting the maximum number to 60 per season on Sky and a further 22 on Premier Sports.

The league’s current five-year, £150million agreement with Sky will end at the climax of the 2028-29 campaign.

Amidst persistent accusations of underselling the product, the SPFL expects “strong interest” after inviting broadcasters to bid for the UK rights from 2029-30 onwards.

While Sky Sports are expected to offer more money to extend the current contract, SPFL sources hope that others could enter the fray and trigger a rights battle.

US media giant Paramount recently won the rights to show Champions League games in the UK from 2027, providing a substantial increase on the £1billion deal currently in place with TNT Sports.

DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, acquired the rights to the English Football League’s National League, National League North and National League South in 2024. The company’s first foray into UK football, senior figures within the SPFL hope they might be persuaded to add Scottish games to their portfolio.

Since the last SPFL rights were put out to market Disney Europe has also entered the football market, securing UEFA men’s club competition rights in Scandinavia. ESPN recently launched on Disney+.

The SPFL wrote in a statement: “The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for live UK broadcast rights for William Hill Premiership matches from season 2029/30.

“The SPFL has indicated that it is flexible about the number of games that it shows live in future and the ITT invites bidders to discuss their preferences with the league. 

“The SPFL’s current agreement with Sky Sports allows the broadcaster to show up to 60 William Hill Premiership matches a season, with Premier Sports also showing up to 22 matches from Scotland’s top flight each year.

“Both agreements run for four years from season 2024/25 to season 2028/29. 

“The separate contract with Premier Sports for broadcast and sponsorship rights in relation to the Premier Sports Cup remains in place until at least the end of season 2030/31 and is not affected by today’s announcement.

“The launch of the ITT comes after the league recorded the highest yearly attendances in the SPFL’s history last season, following one of the most exciting top-flight campaigns.”