Increasing sponsorship space just makes cents
The Roscommon club are recommending to Congress on Saturday that the advertisement space on jerseys be quadrupled, with prospective sponsor space on the sleeves and back as well as the front of them.
With Division 1 semi-finalists Down continuing to wear jerseys sporting their former sponsors Canal Court Hotel, the need for financial backing by counties and clubs has never been greater.
This initiative is seen as affording companies the opportunity to share the cost of a single sponsorship.
“If it was passed it would make it a lot easier for clubs and counties to secure sponsorship in the current economic climate,” said Castlerea St Kevins treasurer Barry Egan.
“Counties would benefit from it too especially with corporate sponsorship hard to come by at the moment.
“It means more sponsors but it makes it more attractive for them to come on board if they’re not paying as much as they would as a single sponsor.
“Say the average club jersey sponsorship is €3,000 per annum. They could offer the front of the jersey for €2,000, €500 for the back and €250 for each of the sleeves.
“Those types of prices appeal more to small and medium-sized companies especially as the prize of being the main sponsor might be too much.”
Egan appreciates there will be those at Congress in Portlaoise who will vote against the motion because it follows an example set by rugby and commercialises the GAA jersey further.
However, he underlines the practicality of the idea.
“It’s time for tradition to move on because you could have a very attractive jersey and if it’s targeted right you could have a uniform county jersey for minors, U21s and seniors.
“I’ve done a bit of research around our own club and there are people who said it would suit them to follow sponsorship of this line.”
Roscommon only recently secured a jersey sponsor in Castlerea couple John and Lily Murphy who support the Hospice movement.
