Sky Sports and LOI Floodlights

**A face** · 03/12/2013, 9:50 AM

Its the off season and this is just something i want to find out about, so here's a thread on it.

I cant remember the whole deal but i just remember all the existing LOI Clubs at the time were pawned off with the installation of floodlights and that was it, event though the impact of the deal resulted in untold damage to the domestic league. Sky began a Direct Broadcast by satellite system in and around 1984.

When did the deal get signed on the dotted line? If it was around 1984 then it was Fine Gaels Garret FitzGerald in power at the time (until 1987), and Minsters for Communications at the time are listed here. Which TD was involved in the deal at the time of negotiations?

Who was in charge of the FAI at the time? Brendan Menton was 1980-1982, Who in the FAI agreed that floodlights would be ample compensation for LOI clubs. Which clubs got those lights?

Does anyone know if Sky have to pay annually for the privilege to broadcast here? Have they had to pay for that since 1984? Have the FAI / LOI club ever got any other payment for this?

I think Bishopstown, Cork got floodlights which were later moved to Turners Cross.

**Sunny Jim** · 03/12/2013, 10:04 AM

I reckon you are about ten years too early there, it was the early 90's iirc.

**A face** · 03/12/2013, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Sunny Jim

I reckon you are about ten years too early there, it was the early 90's iirc.

I dunno, it was definitely before the 1990s i would have thought. I think i read somewhere that it was a done deal by 1989, as in no coming back from it.

Direct broadcast satellite service has been available since the late 1980s with the arrival of free-to-air satellite Astra and subscription service Sky Television.

That was taken from this page .... Under the Satellite Title.

I would love to get some info on who brokered the deal first day, what was involved, etc. Surely some of this info in available now under the data protection act. Anyone know how to go about it?

**Louth4sam** · 03/12/2013, 10:29 AM

Five years ago you asked the same question! Also in the close season

http://foot.ie/archive/index.php/t-105697.html

Mod: Merged threads

**Dodge** · 03/12/2013, 10:40 AM

It was when Sky start showing the Premier League. How could you possibly think it was any earlier? Any club who applied got money towards their floodlights. I know Pats were one

There's no annual charge payable by sky to the FAI etc.

Sky are licensed to broadcast in the Republic of Ireland and hold the rights to live EPL games for Ireland (in line with their UK offerings)

**A face** · 03/12/2013, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Sky are licensed to broadcast in the Republic of Ireland and hold the rights to live EPL games for Ireland (in line with their UK offerings)

So they can broadcast any LOI game they want?

**Mr A** · 03/12/2013, 10:49 AM

It was the mid 90's when Harps got floodlights via the Sky deal anyway. 1994 I think, possibly 1995.

**Dodge** · 03/12/2013, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by A face

So they can broadcast any LOI game they want?

That's a bit of a leap but yea, why not?

**Louth4sam** · 03/12/2013, 10:54 AM

Dundalk had floodlights since the 60s so I'd guess the money was spent on sliver teapots and comfy chairs for the boardroom.

**atfconline** · 03/12/2013, 11:26 AM

We got £50,000 for our floodlights in '93.

I also found an article the order day where the FAI were threatening to block the airing of a Scottish Cup game, because it clashed with the Leinster Senior Cup final between ourselves and Saint Francis. This was in January 1992.

**Dodge** · 03/12/2013, 11:33 AM

There were definitely games blocked on TV in the late 80s/early 90s on ITV because of games in Ireland (including the North). It was usually around our European games too

**A face** · 03/12/2013, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by atfconline

I also found an article the order day where the FAI were threatening to block the airing of a Scottish Cup game, because it clashed with the Leinster Senior Cup final between ourselves and Saint Francis. This was in January 1992.

That article isn't up online by any chance?

Originally Posted by Dodge

There were definitely games blocked on TV in the late 80s/early 90s on ITV because of games in Ireland (including the North). It was usually around our European games too

And they were blocked by the FAI yeah? Any idea who in the FAI? Good to hear they didn't just bend over and take it, if that was the case.

**atfconline** · 03/12/2013, 11:45 AM

It's behind a paywall. They could object under article 14 of UEFA's constitution if a televised match clashed with a competitive match here.

**Nesta99** · 06/12/2013, 10:55 PM

Was it not the case that clubs spent money on the basis of a proposed deal with Sky and when it fell through the FAI then offered loans based on the amount that that they would have got from sky deal. This then meant that clubs had prize money withheld. I vaguely recall an issue with prize money from the 94/95 season and sky deal loan? maybe im mixing up different proposals. Could have been a right to broadcast deal that sky were proposing different to the floodlight issue.