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Another set of sleeve patches to be ironed on so ...
Were going to have little cute wind turbines on each flood light pole in the League now, could save the clubs money on electricty bills
Any title sponsor is better than none at all. The amount isn't disclosed in that press release but I'd say is big considering the size of the company
yeah that is true, will they release the figures i wonder though, or will we find out at the end of the season when all the prize money is added up?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
It will probably leak out at some stage soon! These things always do. I don't think that Airtricity have any big deals (if any at all) with other sports so from that point of view its a good deal for the FAI to secure.
WOnder will the clubs be offered a deal on electrical bills to switch? Electricity is a huge cost in the LOI
It'll probably not impact on prize money or financially for the league, just more cash to the general FAI coffers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grasshopper 99
Pats already have a deal in place with bord gais for electricity. hope this doesnt affect that..... remember the pete briquettes afair....
I agree with Dodge there. There should be some deal for clubs out of this. Though I also remember the peat briquette thing very well! The Smart Telecom deal was in place when the league was the Eircom League - was there any conflict over that?
Aitricity League? ffs. Absolutely awful, the Airticity League of Ireland would be slightly less embarassing. Yet again the FAI bite the hand off anyone waving around a fiver and continue to let the general impression of the League go to the dogs. Somethings are worth more than an initial lump sum, giving an impression of professionalism and not making the league look like an amateur competition is one of them if anyone was willing to take a long term look approach.
I see they didn't even bother to register airticityleague.ie yet.
yeah, the club ahd to argue that the league was sponssored by a telephone company and Smart were a broadband providor (or something like that)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
I think that has run outQuote:
Originally Posted by Danny
I don't have a problem with a title sponsor but surely it has to be Airtricity League of Ireland, let's try and build the League of Ireland brand, crap and all as it is.
Good call and possibly a chance for the clubs to get a collective deal on one of the major outlays ? Surely potential for a group deal with the company now sponsoring the League.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Agree with that seand 100%
I wonder whose finger prints are on this?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
Quote:
Originally Posted by seand
100% agreed. I believe the most unique selling point our league has is the Irishness. Would love to see that reflected in the title.
Absolutely.Quote:
Originally Posted by seand
Whatever sponsor's name there is should be followed by "league of Ireland".
I don't know but Pat Kenny and Des Cahill have just discussed this on the radio.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soccer Mom
Brilliant news. Had heard that something was in the pipeline and knew it was big but this is incredible.
Quote:
The partnership deal, which was signed today at the D4 Berkeley Hotel in Ballsbridge for an undisclosed sum, will see the competition renamed the Airtricity League for the next three years. The agreement will cover the remaining two years of the FAI's management of the League and will be renewed for a further year, subject to continued FAI management
2 Questions
Is the amount too embarrassingly small to publicise?
Are the FAI considering opting out of involvement with the League of Ireland in 2 years time when the current agreement ends. And if so why are they taking the sponsorship with them?
Great news to have a major sponsor on board alright. Think we'll all get used to it being just called the Airtricity League instead of the Airtricity League of Ireland.
Maybe it was an attempt by the FAI to approach the Irish EPL fan in a different way. I know when I mention the words 'League of Ireland' to most of my Premier League supporting friends they become instantly negative towards the product, dropping the 'of Ireland' part is worth a shot, even if it does turn out to be unsuccessful.
Do the clubs have the option of breaking away again after the agreement ends?Quote:
Originally Posted by Buile Shuibhne
wording would seem to indicate that but I doubt they would. Personally I hope not, I know people have been frustrated with the FAI but IMO they are getting there. Feeling very positive about the league at the moment, I am sure there will be more pain and bad news but the end rsult will hopefully be a league operating within its means and a level playing pitch - this canonly be a good thing.
I am just throwing this in there but maybe in the future part of licencing might require clubs to have a min. % of the club ownership in a supporters co-op type grouping.
I didn't like calling it the Eircom League and I won't be calling it the Airtricity League. The forum name won't be changing.
I think Bohs have shown that doesn't necessarily help. Other clubs (like Stockport, for example) have shown it's not a perfect structure either.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanDrog
I think BS might have a point about the "undisclosed" sponsorship, but feck it - money for nothing really.
I'd agree with that completely. Its essential that the FAI stay involved and despite the negatives surrounding a lot of clubs the association are making good headway with league standards. It would be a real disaster for the league if the FAI were to pull out in two years time.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanDrog
Not really bothered what it's called. The important thing is getting the sponsorship. I can't imagine many were lining up to provide it given the profile of the league at the moment and the recession. Also not sure how valuable the Ireland brand is when trying to attract further money and supporters into the game. It doesn't appear to have much of an impact historically.
The important thing going forward is to get the structure of the league correct and have clubs operating in a sustianable way. That and improvements in the grounds and match day experience will be what attracts new fans and not what the name of the league is.
I'm delighted with this news, as it's a hopefully an expanding company who would have wanted their name "Out There" in the public arena so to choose our League of Ireland has to be positive. After all they could have gone running to Croke Park with their cash ! Although it'll always be the League of Ireland to me a fan of over 30 years !!
Spot on too.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
People are still calling it the Eircom League, including some managers recently.
On the other hand, it's all very positive to get a new sponsor onboard, let's hope now we all get free electricity with our season ticket purchase.
Whiel they - and we - can't complain about getting any sponsor on board with the economy as it is, I'd say yes, it's probably embarassingly small.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buile Shuibhne
When I try to log on to LOI site I get redirected to:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jicked
http://www.airtricityleague.com/index.php
but have problems loading the page because the server can't be found!!
Ah come on now....sure it will go towards another few seats in the new Landsdown stadium ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
in line with all electricty companies billing system the prize money will be estimated
*Thanks*Quote:
Originally Posted by passerrby
Hate to see what Bohs will estimate in their budget.
I don't get your logic, it's not that long ago it was the "eircom league" and they still came up with the same bull excuses.Quote:
Originally Posted by sixesandsevens
Very disappointing the FAI didn't bother getting it the "Airtricity League of Ireland".
And btw, did people miss the fecking around with Licences, when they came to the conclusion that the FAI are doing such a good job and it's so imperative that they stay involved?
It's redirecting to fai.ie now - which, i haven't been there in a while - seems to have been redone in a loi.ie styleeQuote:
Originally Posted by prodsc
edit: from fai.ie there's airtricity league under grass root points to loi.ie, but redirtects to airtricityleague.ie, which is mostly same as before - except for the branding - scomplete with last season's fixtures