That would have brought a fortune for Manchester United and Chelsea, but serious financial problems for the likes of Charlton or Portsmouth.
Yesterday the Premier League briefed the 20 club chairmen because some had been worried about spending money in January's transfer window with a possible financial crisis ahead.
Premier League officials, however, enjoyed a few drinks at their Christmas Party last night after avoiding a long battle with the Commission. But the reality in the long term is that they are going to have to work harder to get the same cash.
Next season's deal allowing eight games to be shown on other channels - which interestingly could easily still end up on cable TV rather than ITV or BBC - is not going to make BSkyB officials worry about their grip on the market.
But another broadcaster buying up one or more packages on offer may give Sky a good reason to force down the price in the next negotiations.
The saviour for the Premier League could be Internet and mobile phone rights which could become very lucrative in the next five years.
For example, in China, where interest in the Premier League is growing rapidly, the potential in the mobile phone market is phenomenal-with an estimated five million new subscribers every month.
Premier League officials claim they will not lose money and they may turn out to be right. It is true that they could have fought the Commission in the courts and had a good chance of winning.
But the time and effort is better spent getting the best money they can selling the Premiership's overseas rights because the domestic market could get tougher.
