Fran Gavin on AIL proposals in Sunday Indo

[passerrby]

LOL. dcfcsteve's head just exploded...........

one tries ones best

[dcfcsteve]

LOL. dcfcsteve's head just exploded...........

I doubt it's possible to make someone explode through boring them, though seems Passerby is intent to find out......

[dcfcsteve]

Steve- don't you accept that the FAI interest in the league has shown marked improvement before there was any word of an AIL? For example prizemoney and TV coverage have hugely improved. To retrospectively attribute this to the AIL proposals seems disingenuous.

It has improved - yes. But they were working from an incredibly low base - it would've been hard not to improve on things. Also - some initial improvement form the FAI was inevitable, as they subtly justified taking control of the league by delivering some early benefits.

But I doubt it's a huge coinidence that they seem to be much more attentive to the league since Platinum appeared on the scene. The comments from the FAI since the AIL was first leaked shows that they are aware they're fighting a rear-guard action.

Only time will tell I guess.

[CuanaD]

Steve- don't you accept that the FAI interest in the league has shown marked improvement before there was any word of an AIL? For example prizemoney and TV coverage have hugely improved. To retrospectively attribute this to the AIL proposals seems disingenuous.

Prizemoney & TV coverage have only increased since SETANTA came into the market - The SETANTA CUP started with prizemoney of €150 for the winners & within months the FAI increase prizemoney for the league winners (from 18k to nearer 200k - not sure of these figures - memory isn't so good).

we had spent YEARS getting RTE to show 6 (!!!) live games a season - INCLUDING Cup Games - then Setanta start showing their Cup Games (& defered games & some league games) & SUDDENLY there is an interest from the FAI in promoting the league through (multiple & regular)live games on RTE & TG4



What I am saying is they have only been REACTIVE up until now - never pro-active

[Mr A]

OK, that's fair enough- but I think if the FAI used Setanta's arrival to get more coverage than previously then more power to them.

But licensing (flawed and all as it is) and the CPO system have been two positive developments for the league introduced independent of this or the AIL being muted. Also I can say that the FAI have been excellent in helping with the Harps stadium move for instance. Sure there's a long way to go, and flaws aplenty, but for the first time I remember things have been showing a real improvement.

It may be that the AIL stuff sharpens FAI focus further- and that's great, but I reckon the biggest problem for the league historically has been the incompetence and short-sightedness of the clubs themselves. FAI indifference didn't help, but to blame the FAI for the league's demise and to give no credit for recent progress seems unfair, and hypocritical coming from clubs who have been their own worst enemy.