The foundation wave of the ONSIDE COVID-19 Sports Impact Monitor has been sent this morning to all those Sport for Business who participated in this valuable joint initiative.
The vast majority of sports industry stakeholders surveyed are concerned about the Irish economy in general (88%), with 1 in 2 being ‘extremely concerned’.
While still clearly worried about the impact of COVID-19 specifically on the sports and sponsorship sectors, the levels of ‘extreme concern’ are less acute – with closer to 1 in 5 showing the highest levels of concern for impacts on sport and sponsorship.
“There are a myriad of issues facing organisations in the sports sector at present, with budget constraints already impacting 78 per cent of the industry,” said Onside Sponsorship CEO John Trainor.
“There are also live issues around sponsorship management processes, with the current situation impacting levels of engagement in new sponsorship opportunity discussions for 58 per cent of stakeholders surveyed. Problems activating sponsorships have also hit 55 per cent of organisations and at a management level, there are current issues with reviewing sponsorship contracts (38 per cent) and maintaining relationships with partners and clients (38 per cent).”
“Numerous sports sponsors and rights holders have taken positive action during the crisis and are seen as pioneer role models on how to get through the challenge,” added Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business.
“Musgrave Group and the GAA topped the poll of our members surveyed by ONSIDE for their ‘Club Together’ initiative supporting local communities.”
“Commitment to continued support is also viewed positively, with Visa singled out for their commitment to support athletes to Tokyo in 2021 and FBD for continuing to support Team Ireland to the rescheduled Olympics.”
“2020 was set to be a milestone year for sport and sponsorship globally, with all eyes on the Olympics and Paralympics this year, and the Euro2020 soccer making its way to Dublin.”
“The freeze put on sport’s and related sponsorship investment has created major uncertainty for everyone in the sports industry, from sponsors to right holders and agencies.”
“ONSIDE and Sport for Business, are committed to monitoring the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sports and sponsorship sectors and over the coming weeks we will build on this base data through future waves.”
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