Diarmuid Connolly: ‘Never Say Never’ On Croke Park Naming Rights Sale
Could Croke Park’s naming rights be sold to a sponsor? You can never say never according to Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly.
Connolly, a BoyleSports Ambassador, sat down with us for an exclusive interview as he weighed in on one of the hottest topics in gaelic games right now.
Earlier this week it was reported that Cork’s iconic Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium would be renamed ‘SuperValu Páirc’ as part of a deal which would see Cork GAA sell the naming rights of their recently renovated stadium to Irish supermarket chain SuperValu.
The reports of the sale of naming rights and subsequent change in the stadium name was met with serious public backlash. As a result, Cork GAA appear to be rethinking the sale.
In the wake of these reports, it got us thinking about the potential of Croke Park, the crown jewel of Irish sporting stadia, having its naming rights sold to a sponsor.
We got Diarmuid Connolly’s take on that idea plus his verdict on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh situation and why selling the naming rights could actually be a positive for Cork GAA.
Could Croke Park Sell Naming Rights?
To be totally honest, you can never say never with these things.
“We all know the commercial value that sponsors drive and every sport needs them. The Páirc Uí Chaoimh thing was probably a bit of a shock because it’s a real landmark stadium down in Cork. I know how staunch the Cork people can be about that sort of stuff.”
SuperValu Naming Rights Sale Could Be A Positive For Cork
SuperValu is an Irish-owned company and they’re sponsoring an Irish brand with the GAA.
“It’s down to the committees in Cork. Where is this money going to go? Is it going to go back into the grassroots? If it does, then I’d see it as a huge positive.”
“They’re going to gain a million quid over probably a four-year period to drive back into Cork GAA, who in football terms, haven’t been at the pinnacle for the last number of years. So maybe a little bit of investment might spur that on.”
‘It’s All Down To The Carrot’
“I’m sure commercial managers are always looking at different opportunities to get sponsors on board, even the GAA at the central level. We’ve seen it with Lansdowne Road, being named the Aviva Stadium for how long now and maybe nobody thought that would have happened.”
It’s all down to the carrot really – what are the sponsors offering first of all and what are they going to take from the game?
“I think SuperValu and the GAA have been a really good fit over the last number of years. It’s down to the county boards and I can’t see too many others going the same route, but you just never know what the lay of the land may be.”
Cork GAA Stadium Betting Specials
Name of Cork GAA Stadium v Clare in SHC on April 28th
2/7 Páirc Uí Chaoimh
10/3 SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
8/1 SuperValu Páirc
33/1 SuperValu Park
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
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