FAI ties up deal with Umbro

The biggest deal in Irish sport seems Umbro tie up a major sponsorship agreement with The Football Association of Ireland (FAI ).

In an increase of close to €5 million on the previous agreement made with Umbro in 2005, this is valued at a minimum €16 million through to 2014, this could rise up to a maximum of €21 million dependant on Irish success on the field in European Championships and World Cups.

Irish Grassroots football will see benefits

This deal sees grassroots football in Ireland benefit as Umbro will sponsor key junior & schools tournaments and also College & Universities competitions.

Chief Executive Officer of The FAI, John Delaney, said:

“The unique aspect of the Umbro agreement is the ability it gives us to provide long term sponsorship for the grass roots of the game,” said Mr Delaney.

“We’ve been exploring ways of creating a new overall sponsor for the non-senior parts of the game in Ireland and in Umbro we’ve found a true friend of football who is investing heavily across the board.”

“Working with partners like Umbro helps provide a great platform for these strategic initiatives which are central to the development of the game.”

John Courtenay, Managing Director of Umbro Ireland, said:

“We’ve been hugely impressed with the way the FAI has developed the game at all levels over the past two years and the time is right to greatly extend our involvement with the grassroots of the game. This new agreement will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people who get involved in football every week throughout the country. We want to play an increased role in football in Ireland and our partnership with the FAI provides us with that opportunity,”