Are professional sports economically viable in Ireland?

[Eamonnca1]

Anyone?

Can anybody recommend any good reading on this topic?

[BennyHarp]

Is anything economically viable in Ireland these days?

[Eamonnca1]

Okay, assuming a strong economy then.

[seafoid]

Not really . The population base is too small.

Rugby works but only because it's a very small pool of paid players and part of an international grouping where other countries effectively provide much of the funding. 

[magpie seanie]

A professional soccer "franchise" based in Dublin would work obviously assuming they were in the EPL.

[seafoid]

How is professional sport in Norway, for example ?

[camanchero]

no sport economically viable in Ireland if solely reliant on the Irish economy and not receiving finance from overseas international boards etc.

the league of Ireland just about keeps its head above water and every so often a club will go under and require financial help - Derry City (numerous times), sham rovers, Bohs, Dudalk, Drogheda etc etc

so I would say - no. No to the extent where all players could call it a full time career.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

I don't think so. The GAA only works to attract such a high standard and big boxoffices due to the fact that players play for free (more or less) therefore reducing costs to the organisation. The lack of international competition for home developed players. The unique community/cultural aspects of the GAA. The volunteering nature of the GAA cuts back hugely on development, training, logistics costs etc.

Rugby Union only works in Ireland to an element of community involement (on a much less comprehensive level to the GAA). It also works by pooling our league resources with Scotland, Wales and Italy. Australia and NZ do similar in Rubgy Union. Canada and the United States pool Ice-hockey. Canada gains from huge American resources, America benefits from top level teams from Canada rasing standards.

In Soccer countries Such as Monaco has a team in France, Wales has one and probably soon to be two teams in the English Premier League.

[Tony Baloney]

Anyone?

Can anybody recommend any good reading on this topic?

On an Ireland only basis then no imo. Gate receipts and target market for merchandise/TV rights would be too small to sustain the many costs of running a professional field based sport (mortgages and interest repayments, wages for players and support staff, transport, public liability and other insurances, upkeep of grounds and buildings etc.

[Armaghgeddon]

Anyone?

Can anybody recommend any good reading on this topic?

I can give you something to read on countries hosting world wide sporting events. I might have something on professional sports

[ballinaman]

How is professional sport in Norway, for example ?

They've got oil.....and lots of it.

[magpie seanie]

How is professional sport in Norway, for example ?

They've got oil.....and lots of it.

We have gas/oil but we gave it away.

[Milltown Row2]

So the GAA made a million a week this year profit, is it possible to be economical to have professional GAA players now?

[deiseach]

So the GAA made a million a week this year profit, is it possible to be economical to have professional GAA players now?

Revenue was one million euro a week. I see RTÉ have a headline calling it profit (the link is dead) but it's wrong. The operating profit was €8.99m which would buy you maybe half a Messi, although I bet he wouldn't be much cop on wet Sunday afternoon in Blaney.

[Bingo]

Amateur sport is hardly viable never mind professional sports.