Rangers Commercial and Marketing director James Bisgrove has opened up on the financial “gulf” between the Champions League and Europa League for clubs, as the Gers look to return to the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in over a decade later this summer.
After Steven Gerrard’s side lifted the Scottish Premiership in 2020/21, the Light Blues face two qualifying rounds to reach the groups and Bisgrove admits that securing qualification for the Champions League will “open a lot of exciting doors” for the Ibrox side.
If Gerrard’s side do reach the groups, the Gers will earn considerably more in prize money than they did from their entire run to the last 16 of the Europa League last season.
“There’s a massive gulf in the commercial opportunities between the Champions League and the Europa League,” Bisgrove told FC Business magazine.
“Not least the media rights that are derived from that and the level of sponsorship available in the Champions League.
“When we’re looking at what we’re able to do next season a lot of that will fundamentally be determined on the European competition in which we will operate.
“If we are back in the Champions League, which is where we feel a club of Rangers stature belongs, then we feel that will open a lot of exciting doors for us in terms of how we want to grow the brand of the club internationally and among out commercial partnerships.”
Rangers learn Champions League fate soon
The Gers will discover who they face in qualifying for the Champions League in just over two weeks, the draw taking place on July 19.
Rangers won’t be in action until the start of August but will be without Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe when they return.
Both have suspensions to serve from the ill-tempered Europa League clash with Slavia Prague – who Rangers could end up facing on their way to the Champions League groups.
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