Major Soccer Sponsorship deal to be announced this morning
We cannot yet reveal the detail but later this morning a major new soccer sponsorship will be announced by one of the leading clubs in the Airtricity Premier League.  The company involved is a major multinational employing 275,000 people around the world and boasting revenues last year of over €50 billion.  We will let you know who it is later today.
GAA Accounts in a ‘solid and stable state’
The GAA’s annual accounts for 2011 have been published.  They show “an expected and planned for” drop in revenues from €58 million to €46.8 million.  This reflected a change to the accounting year so that the period only covers ten months to October, a reduction in televised games in the Championship from 50 to 40, and the introduction of reduced ticket prices.
The last of these had a positive impact with attendance overall in Championship and the Allianz National League showing a 10 per cent increase overall.
This was largely helped by the ‘Spring Series’ initiative of Dublin playing home matches and double headers at Croke Park in the early season, allied to concerts between games by the likes of Aslan and Jedward.  Revenues from the Allianz Leagues rose from €0.7 million to €3.5 million.
The flow of rental revenue from soccer and GAA had boosted financial revenues but that ended expectedly with the completion of the Aviva Stadium in 2009.  That still accounted for €4 million in the 2010 figures.
“I know well that counties and clubs around the country are not having it easy, but I think there is plenty to be proud of in there,” said Financial Director Tom Ryan.
“Things are still difficult out there and there is no reason why the GAA should be insulated from all that.  We are though in a solid and a stable state to embark on the challenges that will be presented in 2012.”
Indirect costs dropped by €1.3m to €6.7m and the costs of staging competitions and matches fell by €1m.
Approximately 80 per cent of all revenues were recycled directly to other units within the Association, with Central Council distributing €37m in funding during 2011, while there was an investment of €9m in Games Development.
Hockey starts putting up ‘Sold Out’ signs
The tickets to see Ireland play Korea next Tuesday in the Olympic Qualifying tournament at Belfield are all gone.  Fewer than 500 remain on sale for the other days as well as a concerted marketing effort around the area and through hockey clubs has paid off.  “We will have 10,000 people exposed to the highest level of the sport over the next week,” said Angus Kirkland of the Irish Hockey Association speaking in the next issue of Sport for Business Weekly to be published online later today. Those who miss out will be able to watch the games on a subscription based live stream, the detail of which will be announced on Friday.
Talksport to become 24/7 dedicated to sports programming
The UK national radio and worldwide online broadcaster talkSport is to replace 39 hours of current affairs broadcasting with a full time 24 hour sports schedule.  This will include a greater emphasis on US and international sport and an expansion of the live events covered.
This may present an opportunity for Irish sports to get coverage on a bigger stage.  The Airtricity League programme on summer Fridays is one that could potentially generate additional coverage.
talkSport is the official radio broadcaster in the UK of the Barclays Premier League, beat the BBC to hold the same position for last year’s Rugby World Cup and provided a broadcast home for Richard Keys and Andy Gray when they parted company with Sky last year.
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