Business Of Sport - Irish Examiner

business of sport

The Pitch: Basketball vows to fight for what it deserves

The Pitch: Basketball vows to fight for what it deserves

Elsewhere the Contribution to the Industry Award has gone to the Aga Khan. While champion trainers Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien have also been honoured.

A view of Forged Irish Stout branding 17/5/2023

S The Pitch: Asda deliver fatal blow to the Conor McGregor drinks empire

The Football Association of Ireland attend a meeting with the Oireachtas Committee on Sport

S The Pitch: Five years after football’s ‘Ground Zero’, FAI probe goes dark

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens

S The Pitch: Croke Park set to host Steelers in biggest ever sporting event

Clare v Cork - GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final

S The Pitch: Could GAA be next in the incredible rise of Premier Sports?

How has the channel established itself, not only as a disruptive pay alternative to RTÉ, but as a significant rival to the state broadcaster?

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

The Pitch: Golf’s super rich – where they’re staying, playing and what they’re paying

S The Pitch: Golf’s super rich – where they’re staying, playing and what they’re paying

This group of mainly American visitors invests €85.4 annually into golf tourism.

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

The Pitch: City centre golf - Murray, Best and Madigan invest in game's richest trend

S The Pitch: City centre golf - Murray, Best and Madigan invest in game's richest trend

Rugby stars have invested in a new urban golfing venture which global trends show will change the way the game is played here

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

David Courell speaks to the media after the meeting 14/9/2024

S The Pitch: What politicians don't get about need for investment in football academies

The de-facto state-ownership of the game must end with David Courell pushing politics back in its rightful place, no longer allowing it to wag the dog.

Thu, 10 Oct, 2024

Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - La Liga EA Sports

Saudi Arabia pays for naming rights to Atlético Madrid’s stadium for nine years

Saudi Arabia is all-but confirmed to host the 2034 World Cup. It is the only candidate in a contest FIFA member federations will decide in a December 11 vote.

Wed, 09 Oct, 2024

Peter O'Mahony 24/6/2017

British and Irish Lions agree landmark player profit share agreement for 2025 Tour

New agreement will see the creation of a new partnership whereby players will benefit from a profit share model

Mon, 07 Oct, 2024

Coolmore's link up with Tipperary GAA a winner alright for Premier County

Coolmore's link up with Tipperary GAA a winner alright for Premier County

Tipperary GAA have inked a three-year sponsorship deal with the world-renowned stud.

Sat, 05 Oct, 2024

Munster v Connacht - United Rugby Championship

S The Pitch: URC broadcast rights are out to tender — but what will new deals reveal?

Any devaluation on the game will be considered in the light of what is happening in England, where the game is entering what on the face of it looks like a severe depression.

Thu, 03 Oct, 2024

Kansas City Chiefs v Los Angeles Chargers

Cold, ravenous and predatory: private equity casts its beady eyes towards the NFL

These investors’ main function is to own and extract rather than operate, improve, or nurture the assets under their control: their business model is built on minimum investment with maximum drain.

Wed, 02 Oct, 2024

The 152nd Open - Preview Day Three

S The Pitch: How the R&A is driving a wedge through Irish golf industry

One question which regularly pops up is how much the independent golfer programme will impact clubs financially. This is a figure neither Golf Ireland or The R&A can stand over.

Thu, 26 Sep, 2024

Leeds United v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship - Elland Road

Leeds plan to redevelop Elland Road into 53,000-seater stadium

Chairman says ‘refresh’ would retain ‘unique atmosphere’.

Tue, 24 Sep, 2024

Celtic and Republic of Ireland Legends v Manchester United Legends - Liam Miller Tribute Match - Pairc Ui Chaoimh

S Cork hopes dashed? Uefa want to flip Casement Park’s 'lost games’ to England

The Pitch understands that Uefa’s favoured position is that the fixtures would go to the English FA.

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Ireland v Switzerland - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers First Round

'Major step forward' - €38m redevelopment of National Basketball Arena gets green light

Having been given the green light by South Dublin City Council, the project will see the multi-sport arena double its capacity to 3,272, with works expected to take 18 months to complete.

Fri, 13 Sep, 2024

Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League - Old Trafford

Manchester United post net losses of £113.2M but believe they are compliant with PSR

The Red Devils' latest losses for the year ending June 30 follows a £115.5m loss in 2021-22 and a £42.1m loss in 2022-23.

Wed, 11 Sep, 2024

Chelsea FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League

Chelsea in talks over building new stadium at Earls Court

West London outfit understood to have drawn up plans and talks have taken place with real estate developers

Tue, 10 Sep, 2024

Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces

NFL places restrictions on Tom Brady’s broadcasting access because of pending Raiders ownership stake

The Patriots legend is working with play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt on Fox’s top NFL broadcasting team.

Fri, 30 Aug, 2024

Kerry v Derry - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final

Of Galway, with a passion for Kerry, Frank Hayes was key point man between two brand giants

The genial Loughrea man was the go-between for one of the longest and most lucrative sponsorships in the GAA - Kerry Group and Kerry GAA.

Thu, 29 Aug, 2024

Chelsea v Manchester City - Premier League - Stamford Bridge

S Ian Mallon: Reality is Chelsea are leading sport's fastest growing strategic trend

Why private equity ownership is surging across European football

Thu, 29 Aug, 2024

Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games - Monday August 26th

Approximately two million tickets sold for Paris paralympics

The Games will be launched on Wednesday evening when athletes parade along the Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of the French capital.

Tue, 27 Aug, 2024

FAI's 2023 accounts confirm turnover increase but profit flatlines

FAI's 2023 accounts confirm turnover increase but profit flatlines

The key data was emailed to members on Thursday ahead of their annual general meeting on Saturday, September 14.

Thu, 22 Aug, 2024

Sir Keir Starmer visit to Northern Ireland

S Ian Mallon: Political football plays havoc with security for Ireland v England

There has been some speculation, but no official confirmation, that Simon Harris and Keir Starmer will go to the Aviva for the potentially volatile UEFA Nations League tie.

Thu, 22 Aug, 2024

Team Ireland Paris 2024 Olympic Squad Homecoming

S Ian Mallon: If government can get athletic environment right, more success will come

The cost of each Irish Olympic medal falls to €12.7m, as funding rises

Thu, 15 Aug, 2024

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with Peter Sherrard 31/7/2024

S The Pitch: How Team Ireland pulled off brilliant transformation in Olympic fortunes

Inside Team Ireland’s world class ‘Athletes First’ Programme.

Thu, 08 Aug, 2024

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day 11 - Boxing

Next Games will have more product placement and commercial opportunities, says IOC

The IOC saw revenues of €2.1bn from its top sponsors for the period 2017-2021

Wed, 07 Aug, 2024

Harlequins Women v Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC - Allianz Premiership - Twickenham Stadium

Twickenham to be renamed Allianz Stadium in first rebrand since 1907

For the first time since it was built in 1907, the 82,000-seater home of English rugby will be rebranded as part of an agreement that the RFU insists will be “transformative” for the game.

Tue, 06 Aug, 2024

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with Peter Sherrard 31/7/2024

S The Pitch: Team Ireland removes strain of ‘Rule’ 40 for Irish Olympians

Enforcement of a controversial rule on commercial sponsors has overshadowed previous Olympics, but the OFI has taken the weight of Irish athletes in Paris.

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

2024 NBA Finals - Game Five

Data, dollars and dunks: why NBC, Amazon and ESPN paid $76bn for NBA rights

The world’s biggest basketball league had steady but unspectacular ratings last season but its blockbuster deal could predict the future of sports broadcasting.

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024

Team Ireland Paris 2024 - Alternative View

S The Pitch: Team Ireland set to deliver golden return on investment

Record sponsorship revenue have put Team Ireland in a stronger than ever position for Olympic glory

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

Oakland A's tell Las Vegas officials they won't take last $30 million in public money for new stadium

Oakland A's tell Las Vegas officials they won't take last $30 million in public money for new stadium

This is the Athletics' final season in Oakland and they will play at a variety of smaller stadia until their new Vegas facility is ready in 2028

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024

Castlehaven v Nemo Rangers - 2020 Cork County Senior Club Football Championship Final

Chance to cash in on All-Ireland involvement cannot be overlooked

Cork and Clare GAA bosses have been doing their level best this week to monetise their county’s participation in Sunday’s decider.

Thu, 18 Jul, 2024

2024 NBA Finals - Game Five

NBA agrees to record 11-year, $76bn media rights deal – sources

The deal, which set NBA records for both its length and total value, goes into effect for the 2025-26 season

Thu, 11 Jul, 2024

A general view of SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 23/3/2024

S The Pitch: Páirc Uí Chaoimh might be a long shot for Euro 2028 bid but if you're not in...

The Pitch understands Casement Park is no longer being considered as a viable option to host games for the Euros, due to be shared between Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.

Thu, 11 Jul, 2024

Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group C - Tottenham Hotspur v Partizan Belgrade - White Hart Lane

Paul Mitchell takes over from Dan Ashworth as Newcastle’s sporting director

Mitchell arrives after previous roles in scouting and club development at Southampton, Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Monaco.

Thu, 04 Jul, 2024

Ian Mallon: Will David Courell make FAI’s litigation against Deloitte disappear?

S Ian Mallon: Will David Courell make FAI’s litigation against Deloitte disappear?

It has been four years since the FAI initiated proceedings against the accountancy consultants for an alleged failure of financial oversight in its role as auditor of the organisation’s books.

Thu, 04 Jul, 2024

RUGBYU-NZL-SQUAD

Business of Sport: New Zealand alchemists trying to turn mud-slinging into black gold

There is still no bigger rugby team than the All Blacks but administrators realise the world is changing rapidly. Keep fighting yesterday’s battles and the entire sport will find itself staring down the barrel

Tue, 02 Jul, 2024

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board

‘Embarrassing’ failures in horse welfare and finance exposed at Public Accounts committee

In a sometimes extraordinary Oireachtas hearing, the IHRB refused to reveal why it moved €350k from an injured jockeys' charity into its own accounts

Thu, 20 Jun, 2024

The Pitch: The Irish golf ball that scraped €250k funding four years ago and is now worth €20m

S The Pitch: The Irish golf ball that scraped €250k funding four years ago and is now worth €20m

There is a view forming that Pairc Ui Chaoimh may be an alternative to Casement Park as a Euro 2024 venue.

Thu, 20 Jun, 2024

Bohemians v Finn Harps - SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

S The Pitch: Why Irish players are so devalued on global transfer markets

Lack of facilities is having a devastating impact on the football economy

Thu, 13 Jun, 2024

Cheltenham Racing Festival - Champion Chase Day

S Jack Anderson: Why the odds on an Irish gambling crisis are growing

Gamblification is a gathering sporting storm on both sides of the Atlantic.

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League - Final - Wanda Metropolitano

Liverpool chairman ‘determined’ to see Premier League games played in USA

Tom Werner wants to see matches played around world.

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

TOPSHOT-BOX-USA-ALI

Watch: Muhammad Ali’s childhood home in Louisville is for sale

The pink house where Muhammad Ali grew up dreaming of boxing fame is for sale. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Louisville was converted into a museum, but is now up for sale along with two neighboring properties for $1.5 million.

Thu, 06 Jun, 2024

Curtis Campher bowls 5/6/2024

S Ian Mallon: Hosts Ireland in danger of ‘devastating’ 2030 ICC World Cup removal

Ireland is due to co-host the tournament with England but has missed a number of critical targets.

Thu, 06 Jun, 2024

Manchester United v Burnley - Premier League - Old Trafford

Manchester United star Casemiro joins board of directors at ambitious Marbella

Marbella have announced the 32-year-old Brazilian’s “incorporation into the club’s shareholding structure” on social media.

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

St. Michaels v Waterford - Sports Direct Mens FAI Cup First Round

S The Pitch: Agency investigating John Delaney and FAI breaks silence

In five years, the Corporate Enforcement Authority has said very little publicly about the case

Thu, 30 May, 2024

JAPAN-AUTOMOBILE-EARNINGS-TOYOTA

Report: Japanese carmaker Toyota set to end massive Olympic sponsorship deal

Toyota has a contract through the 2024 Paris Games, which was reported to be valued at $835 million when it was announced in 2015.

Mon, 27 May, 2024

Irish Open Golf Championship - Previews

S The Pitch: Fears up to 100 golf clubs could fold over iGolf scheme

The general manager of one of the country’s leading golf clubs has warned that a plan to target casual golfers could have devastating impact

Thu, 23 May, 2024