Counties must find new ways to reel in spiralling costs of running a team
THINKING outside the box is vital for county boards bursting at the seams under financial pressure.
If you look at what has taken place in a number of cities abroad over the last few years – with big bash fundraising nights – it is apparent that these techniques to generate funds will become the norm going forward.
l can see why Tipperary have come up with the innovative idea of a separate ‘commercial board’ – set up to be solely responsible for raising funds for the senior inter-county team.
The county has recruited the likes of Alan Quinlan and Niall Quinn to organize big fundraising events to help manager Liam Sheedy (right) with the demands of running his panel.
Their first event is on April 10 in the Mansion house – a night to celebrate all that’s good and great about Tipperary hurling and their 27 All-ireland titles.
Kerry, meanwhile, have brought home huge warchests of money from America over the last few years – rolling out their big name stars on numerous occasions.
And now Mayo are putting on a night that may well beat them all – a gala black tie evening in New
York on May 3.
It’s the launch of the first Mayo GAA International Supporters
Foundation, with tables starting from $10,000 and going up to $25,000 for VIP packages.
A half page ad in the program costs $2,500 – a full page is a whopping $5,000. A night like this could potentially raise anywhere from $250,000 to $1million. I think it’s a great initiative and will be a Mayo night for Mayo people to remember forever. Roscommon also made well over €300k with their big gala dinner a couple of years ago in New York – and, last year, Wexford and Davy Fitz did something similar in the States.
These funds are a massive help to support the spiralling costs involved in running an inter-county set-up. Two years ago, myself, Sean Boylan, Colm O’rourke and Andy Mcentee went over for a single fundraising event for the Meath footballers in New York. It was magnificently organised by that great staunch Meathman in the Big Apple, John Breslin – and we brought home €250,000.
Not bad for one night’s work, don’t you think?
Every county – no matter how weak they are or what division they’re in – have many wealthy, high profile and passionate people at home and abroad who are willing to put their hands in their deep pockets.
Specialists committees and boards set up like Tipperary’s are the way of the future.
Many county boards are insolvent right now.
They need joined-up thinking to generate revenue from previously untapped resources.
The current haemorrhaging of money is simply unsustainable, and that’s why Tipperary’s foresight and vision may be the way forward.