League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon admits half of national league grounds are not comfortable for live television broadcasts.
Interest in the domestic product has spiked through increased attendances and attention, reflected by Virgin Media’s commitment to screen 14 matches once the new season kicks off next month.
Their package – which includes the plum meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Derry City as well as a new standalone Thursday night fixture in May – will bring the volume of televised fixtures from the men’s and women’s leagues to 45 when RTÉ and TG4 games are factored in.
While the FAI receive fees from the broadcasters, which Scanlon notes are invested back in the league, the paucity of modern facilities is conspiring against an overall rights deal being hatched. These are commonplace across European leagues, generating vital funding.
The cash-strapped FAI are seeking half a billion euro over the next 15 years to prop up the €863m required to upgrade infrastructure at all levels of the games.
Scanlon admits the current archaic situation, which has seen broadcasters for instance avoid Dundalk and Drogheda United’s home games, will take years to rectify.
“We’re a small country with a small population, have a limited number of broadcasters in this space as well as competition with other sports,” he said at the launch of Virgin’s coverage expansion.
“Ultimately it comes to another question that we’ve spoken about a number of times before which are the facilities.
“In order for us to do the best deal on behalf of the clubs and ensure there’s more coverage the product has to look good. The product is fantastic on the pitch, which we’ve felt for a long time, the quality of football is improving all the time
Read on irishexaminer.com