A UEFA decision to almost double the percentage of TV deals going to clubs via the FAI, and other member associations, will mean a welcome minimum deposit of €288,622 landing in each of last year’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Clubs in the coming weeks.

That is up from the €72,500 they received from the same source a year ago.

All 20 clubs, including those in the first division received the same amount in previous years but with the increase has come a tweaking of the funding criteria and a heavier weighting going to top flight clubs.

Because the League of Ireland plays a summer season, that means a time lag in relation to teams going up or down.

The SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division Clubs will get €45,840 by way of this payment. And that lower amount will be what Cork City get with Dundalk getting the higher payout.

It will be the equivalent of a parachute payment in future for teams relegated and while it will disadvantage the team coming up for a year, the payments are restricted in what they can be used for with player wages and transfer fees excluded.

The areas allowed for the spend are finance departments, youth team structures, medical care, child protection, training facilities, women’s football activities, supporter liaison officers and social responsibility.

Some clubs may look on this to substitute money that would otherwise have gone to those areas and indirectly boost the money available for players but this is long term funding for the long term development and sustainability of the clubs.

By way of comparison each club in the English Premier League is guaranteed a minimum of €11.2 million just for taking part in the competition and with top ups based on performance that could be an eight time multiple of that.

The prize money for the League winners in 2025 will remain at the relatively modest €125,000 but that will only benefit one club and the greater payouts will come from advancing in European competition which Shamrock Rovers have lucratively done this year and which they, Shelbourne and Drogheda United will have the opportunity to do when next season’s campaign kicks off in the summer.

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Dividing a shared pot is better for the overall health and competitiveness of the game and this increase for the Premier Division clubs will be welcomed. It is tough on those competing at the lower level but also an added incentive for promotion. The funding of the Women’s game is treated separately by UEFA, though some of this funding can be used towards ‘Women’s football activities.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

The Official League Launch will take place on Wednesday 5th February.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS

The FAI and SSE Airtricity are two of the organisations involved in this deal that are among the 300+ full active members of the Sport for Business community. Sky Ireland are our Official Partners in Football.

 


 

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