Newstalk new sponsors

Newstalk have been unveiled as the new top tier sponsor for the League of Ireland. Under the new scheme, devised to last the remaining three years of the FAI leadership of the League of Ireland, Newstalk will benefit from signage, marketing and promotional rights associated with the league and the newly named 'Newstalk A Championship'. The league itself will benefit from larger prize funding, larger subsidies, and a rather efficient sponsor to promote it.

Speaking at the unveiling, in the luxurious - and no doubt needed - Abbottstown FAI headquarters, John Delaney Chief Executive of the FAI said "I am very happy that Newstalk will be one of the League of Ireland’s top tier sponsors in 2009. Under next season’s multi-sponsor format, the League and its clubs will benefit from increased prize funding. The quality of football played by Irish clubs has improved consistently and with Newstalk’s proven record for quality sports broadcasting, they will be an excellent partner who will assist us in showcasing the quality and drama of League of Ireland football.

"Next year, as a result of new sponsorship including today’s important Newstalk announcement, League clubs will enjoy an increase in prize funding and direct subsidies. In total over five million euros will be put towards the running of the League of Ireland in 2009 and prize money for clubs will increase.

Delaney added that under this sponsorship structure, despite not having the desired number of sponsors on board just yet, the system has already yielded a significant rise in revenue for next season, indeed "well above what the Eircom contract gave [The League]. At the moment we're well ahead."

Newstalk's Chief Executive Elaine Geraghty added, "Newstalk is delighted to announce our sponsorship of the League Of Ireland. The partnership of Ireland’s national commercial talk radio station with the League reflects Newstalk’s commitment to the sport and our commitment to provide unrivalled coverage of Irish sport at both national and local level. The sports team at Newstalk, delivering over 26 hours of sport weekly, are dedicated to providing coverage that entertains and informs our listeners all over the country. We are confident that this new sponsorship with the League and the Newstalk A Championship will help build domestic soccer and ensure both Newstalk and the FAI build their presence among new and existing supporters.

The new multi-sponsor structure has thus far incorporated Newstalk and Eircom as 'Top-Tier' sponsors, with Lucozade, Boylesports, Umbro and The National Dairy Council as, assumedly, 'Bottom-Tier' sponsors.