The Sunday Independent yesterday carried a story that the new development of Leinster Rugby’s home at the RDS will have a naming partner, yielding a return of over €5 million towards the cost of the new construction.
Kingspan has secured a deal for Ulster Rugby’s home ground at Ravenhill while the Irish Independent itself has naming rights over what was formerly known as Musgrave Park in Cork.
The national Rugby stadium is of course known now as the Aviva Stadium.
The story indicates that an announcement will be made next month, ahead of work commencing on the redevelopment which will take two years to complete but not require Leinster to move.
The phased redevelopment worked well at Kingspan Stadium and the new capacity of 25,000, as well as extra comfort for season ticket holders will outweigh any short term inconvenience on the road to a 25,000 seater stadium.
Given Bank of Ireland’s long term relationship with Leinster it is favourite to be involved and even if not it would likely preclude any other financial services company becoming involved.
The Independent itself would not be out of the question given its own involvement with the province.
BT Sport has been involved in naming rights deals in Cardiff and Edinburgh in the past year as it expanded its footprint in Rugby but the lack of a consumer facing brand in the Republic of Ireland would make them unlikely partners.
It should be borne in mind that the redevelopment of the RDS is being done by the Society as opposed to by Leinster Rugby or the IRFU who will remain as long term tenants rather than owners.
