Financial woe leaves Irish hockey out in the cold

Hockey Ireland chief executive Jerome Pels says the lack of a viable international stadium and the organisation’s financial history – rather than performance levels – scuppered Ireland’s hopes of being part of the Pro League.

The new competition, which begins in January 2019, is part of the International Hockey Federation’s ambitious plans to drive the sport into the full-time, professional realm.

With television deals struck with BT Sport and Star Sports in India, the FIH is projecting revenues of up to $150 million over the initial four years of the competition. The event sees nine men’s and women’s teams from around the world facing each other on a home and away basis with 144 games broadcast over a six-month period.