Super Bowl sets benchmark for sporting year
The 46th Super Bowl was watched on Sunday night by more than one billion people in 175 countries around the world, making it the most viewed sporting event of the year.
Eli Manning led the New York Giants to a four point victory with a touchdown drive in the last minute of the game at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Super Bowl is the biggest driver of HD TV sales in the US and the TV advertising spots were sold for more than €3 million for each 30 seconds.
The half time advertising breaks on NBC are the pinnacle of the mainstream advertising year, though on this side of the Atlantic the highlight in Sky Sports’ coverage was a familiar ad for Royal Caribbean Cruises and ‘in house’ adverts for Sky Movies and Sky Atlantic.  The break did contain the excellent advert for Asics bearing the slogan ‘I am made of sport’.
The next issue of Sport for Business Weekly will carry a review of the Super Bowl advertisements.
Stats make sober reading for Six Nations coaches
The Super Bowl may still be in a league of its own with regard to statistics but the RBS Six Nations put in a good weekend for analysts with its new stats and text based app.
Ireland may feel hard done by with the late penalty defeat to Wales but they did trail in all the key metrics through the game.  Wales spent a total of 20 minutes more in Ireland’s half, won 40% more ball in open play, made 33% more passes and only four errors to Ireland’s eight.
Declan Kidney has plenty to think about in advance of Saturday night’s trip to the Stade de France but at least he has top class information to try and turn things around.
England came out on top against Scotland but their 16 missed tackles was more than 60% greater than any of the other five rival nations.
Setanta back in profit
Setanta Sports returned to a small operating profit in 2010, turning around a €6.9 million loss from 2009.  Turnover was up by 5% and gross profit before operating expenses was €3.37 million
The broadcaster had a special offer of two months subscription for less than €20 ahead of this weekend, which will have appealed to GAA and Basketball fans.
The Basketball National League Super Cup Finals on Friday made for good viewing and Dublin Vs Kerry on Saturday night belied its early February scheduling with a very competitive game.
Greyhound Racing records strong year
Attendances at Irish greyhound racing were up 22,632 in 2011, to a figure of 756,561.  This enabled the Irish Greyhound Board to produce an overall cash surplus of €3.15 million, up 7.6% on the 2010 figure.
Prize money grants will be increased by 3.5% on an overall basis in 2012 compared to 2011. Furthermore an additional €469,150 has been allocated to general stadium and operational improvements.
A greater focus on online marketing has led to restaurant pre-bookings up 17% on 2010 Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Cross recorded 16% and 21% increases respectively.
Profits from the Tote came in at €3.06 million due to more combination package deals within the Stadium coupled with the introduction of a new performance management system.
Latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly
The latest issue of Sport for Business Weekly is available free to view online.  It has features on Accenture’s involvement with the RBS Six Nations; the €60 million economic value of Punchestown’s national hunt festival to the local and national economy; a look at how Allianz is developing its sponsorship of the National Football and Hurling Leagues and much, much more…
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