QuoteBrilliant news. Had heard that something was in the pipeline and knew it was big but this is incredible.
I don't know but Pat Kenny and Des Cahill have just discussed this on the radio.Originally Posted by Soccer Mom
Brilliant news. Had heard that something was in the pipeline and knew it was big but this is incredible.
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?
A transient, horrible, fantastic dream,
Wherein is nothing yet all things do seem:
From which we're wakened by a friendly nudge
Of our bedfellow Death, and cry: "O fudge!"
Ambrose Bierce
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.
Weaseling out of things is important to learn, it's what seperates us from the animals!! Well... except for the weasel.
Do the clubs have the option of breaking away again after the agreement ends?
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
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.
Drogheda United in this together
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.
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.
Weaseling out of things is important to learn, it's what seperates us from the animals!! Well... except for the weasel.
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'd rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd" Johnny Giles
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.
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.
When I try to log on to LOI site I get redirected to:
http://www.airtricityleague.com/index.php
but have problems loading the page because the server can't be found!!
Last edited by dahamsta; 26/02/2010 at 12:50 PM.
Ah come on now....sure it will go towards another few seats in the new Landsdown stadium
in line with all electricty companies billing system the prize money will be estimated
I wish i did not know then what I dont know now
*Thanks*
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.
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?
If you attack me with stupidity, I'll be forced to defend myself with sarcasm.
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 stylee
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
Last edited by A N Mouse; 26/02/2010 at 12:54 PM.
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