Rabo pull the plug

[Dexter]

I would go so far as to say that there's a sponsor already tied up for the Pro 12 next year. The initial tender went out over 4 months ago, interviews/presentations with several companies were held in London in the latter part of October. Following that and I know that one company has walked away due to the price being sought. Once we get a definite idea on the make up of the league, I expect the regions and the Italians to still be in, then an announcement is likely.

Theres a Celtic Rugby meeting in London today - I wouldn't be surprised if this was high on the agenda

We will await with interest what comes out of that. Still think they should look to extend the league to a second div with teams from other countries. Let the winner of div 2 play off against bottom of div1 for promotion. Would build the brand and add some spice to the end of season.

It's a nice idea but financial viability is the problem.

[John23]

I would go so far as to say that there's a sponsor already tied up for the Pro 12 next year. The initial tender went out over 4 months ago, interviews/presentations with several companies were held in London in the latter part of October. Following that and I know that one company has walked away due to the price being sought. Once we get a definite idea on the make up of the league, I expect the regions and the Italians to still be in, then an announcement is likely.

Theres a Celtic Rugby meeting in London today - I wouldn't be surprised if this was high on the agenda

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

[[Jackass]]

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

Should they be revealing all of those sensitive negotiation details into the public domain? Might as well have published the minutes of the meeting...

[BlueStreak]

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

Should they be revealing all of those sensitive negotiation details into the public domain? Might as well have published the minutes of the meeting...

Yeah, to be honest I lost interest after the first few lines!

[John23]

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

Should they be revealing all of those sensitive negotiation details into the public domain? Might as well have published the minutes of the meeting...

No. I am not looking for a blow by blow account of what happened or the minutes as you suggested, just a tad more info than a one liner.

[Dexter]

I would go so far as to say that there's a sponsor already tied up for the Pro 12 next year. The initial tender went out over 4 months ago, interviews/presentations with several companies were held in London in the latter part of October. Following that and I know that one company has walked away due to the price being sought. Once we get a definite idea on the make up of the league, I expect the regions and the Italians to still be in, then an announcement is likely.

Theres a Celtic Rugby meeting in London today - I wouldn't be surprised if this was high on the agenda

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

Grand..sorted then!

[Fireworks]

This is a really in depth press release

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14188.php

Should they be revealing all of those sensitive negotiation details into the public domain? Might as well have published the minutes of the meeting...

It looks like they wrote the headline and then forgot to write the press release. We already knew they were meeting but at least we now know they all turned up and that nobody was particularly rude.

[[Jackass]]

Strong rumour that Heineken are going to take over as title sponsors for the league next season.

So as you were, watching the Heineken on Sky Sports.

Would be great for the league if true.

[offshorerules]

Strong rumour that Heineken are going to take over as title sponsors for the league next season.

So as you were, watching the Heineken on Sky Sports.

Would be great for the league if true.

Bad day to start a rumour.

[Blue not red blood]

Would make sense from their Ireland market perspective.

[Broken Wing]

On foot of Rabo ceasing sponsorship of the Pro12 at the end of this season, and given the increased security of the competition, it is understood prospective sponsors will also be in attendance at the Aviva. Helpfully, the four competing countries have reached a new accord as equal partners, while there will be heightened qualification requirements for the new European Champions Cup.
Amongst the Pro12’s new suitors are Turkish Airlines, but contrary to rumours, neither Heineken nor any other drinks sponsor are involved.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/p ... -1.1740847

Of course, things could have changed.

[[Jackass]]

The problem with Irish TV rights is that RTE are absolutely broke in terms of ability to pay for what they broadcast and have pretty much been taken to the cleaners by any entrance to the market for sporting rights. Save for the Dail intervening to make certain sports legally free to air "in the national interest", they would have virtually no sporting coverage at all.

The fact that they part fund TG4 and then lose sporting bidding contests to them speaks volumes. I don't think regional, specialist language channels help promote the league at all, in fact I would go so far as to say it's detrimental to the sport if mainstream broadcasters can't retain the rights.

The bottom line to all of this is that without competition, the value of broadcasting rights to the league will never be maximised. Taking into account the smaller market share of the Pro12, the celtic nations having combined populations of about 15 million + the minority interest in the sport in Italy,with all but Ireland having strong competition from local football teams, versus 60 odd million in England and France respectively, with much stronger established support base and leagues for the most part, even with a competitive broadcasting market we'd never get the kind of money they do, but when small budget channels like TG4 and S4C are able to retain rights, it speaks volumes about the lack of any real competition for Pro12 rights. Ideally, it would be great if BT Sport or a revitalised Setanta were to enter the market for Pro12 rights, but that's unlikely to happen, and without the big TV deal, the title sponsor deal will never be as valuable either, and there's a large knock on effect. The only silver lining to all of this really is the competition for the product itself. SKY need rugby coverage as part of their sporting package and without the AP or T14, we're the only show in town really, so that gives us some leverage, as with brands like Heineken who have enjoyed sublime success over their title sponsorship of the European Cup and will no doubt want to retain a presence in that market.

In the grand scheme of things, a new title sponsor of the esteem as Heineken (or Guinness the other possible contender) and a new and far more valuable TV deal with Sky, these could be called great times for the league, but in the context of how quickly and vastly the English and French leagues are expanding beyond any remit we could even begin to dream about, it all seems concerning.

GT has another piece on it today actually: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i ... 176?page=2

[TerenureJim]

The fact that they part fund TG4 and then lose sporting bidding contests to them speaks volumes. I don't think regional, specialist language channels help promote the league at all, in fact I would go so far as to say it's detrimental to the sport if mainstream broadcasters can't retain the rights.

Funny that the viewing figures for TG4 at the weekend were up there with 6N figures, while many of us have only a passing knowledge of the language I for one find TG4 coverage to be better in one very significant way, they actively support the league and have positive comments to make on it as opposed to RTÉ's now standard "ah sure it's only the Rabo" and "it's fairly meaningless anyway", I'd much rather have a positive minor broadcaster (language or dish etc.) promoting the league than a mainstream channel who like to knock it.

[simonokeeffe]

*not an april fools* BT according to Simon Thomas on twitter are taking over as ground sponsors/namers of arms park and lining up a deal to be jersey sponsors of all 4 Welsh sides

dare I say it might be good for the league as we could end up with stronger/better funded welsh teams

[Broken Wing]

I don't think regional, specialist language channels help promote the league at all, in fact I would go so far as to say it's detrimental to the sport if mainstream broadcasters can't retain the rights.

TG4, back when it was TnaG, had live coverage of the Celtic League long before RTÉ bothered to even pretend interest. My first exposure to the league was TnaG and I'd be very surprised if I was the only one.

RTÉ's dismissive attitude to the league was far from beneficial when it came to promotion.

[The Doc]

Always thought Setanta did a good job - fairly cheap and cheerful but at least they had decent coverage and included a highlights programme at the end of the weekend

[Darce]

Always thought Setanta did a good job - fairly cheap and cheerful but at least they had decent coverage and included a highlights programme at the end of the weekend

They showed a lot of games too. Even when no irish teams were playing. Welsh derbies etc

[johng]

They showed ALL the games. Every single one. Even Dragons v Embra on a wet Friday night.

[leinster4life13]

I dont get how terrestrial TV deals mean less big money sponsors then having a big pay TV fronting your product does. Surely the fact that you will have more people watching on free TV means more exposure for your brand, eg making the product more valuable. Still, I think the Pro 12 messed it up, we need Spanish teams, Portugal XV and a Georgian XV, split it into two conferences, (still have everyone play each other, derbies etc) with play offs at the end. I honestly think the format is stale, The standard has been shite, Welsh teams not worth watching, Italians and Scottish a joke. I literally watch Leinster games and then Top 14, Super rugby. They really need to spice it up, new teams and TV markets would do that. It doesnt matter who the next sponsor is(barring some Qatari involvement) I cant see how the core product, which is poor, will be improved by having SKy televise a few Leinster games and a different sponsor involved.

[conman]

I don't think regional, specialist language channels help promote the league at all, in fact I would go so far as to say it's detrimental to the sport if mainstream broadcasters can't retain the rights.

TG4, back when it was TnaG, had live coverage of the Celtic League long before RTÉ bothered to even pretend interest. My first exposure to the league was TnaG and I'd be very surprised if I was the only one.

RTÉ's dismissive attitude to the league was far from beneficial when it came to promotion.

Agreed, proven by the fact that there's no Against the Head program outside of International windows.