3 Is The Magic Number For The FAI

Ireland's brand new soccer jersey will be on show for all to see on Wednesday against Argentina.

After yesterday’s announcement by Eircom to hang up their sponsorship deal with The Football Association of Ireland after more than 10 years, It was announced this afternoon that one of Ireland’s biggest high speed networks 3 would be the new sponsor for the FAI and all international squads.

The deal will be rolled out over the next 4 years and its estimated worth is €7.5 million. The deal not only sees 3 become the primary sponsor, but it will also be working with football at grass-roots level involving clubs and leagues up and down the country. The new sponsorship affords 3 premium branding rights to include training and playing kits and gear including ticket branding and high visibility pitch-side branding.

Listen to what Giovanni Trapattoni, John Delaney and Robert Finnegan had to say.
 

With over 450,000 participants, football is one of the largest sports in the country and last year 10 of the 20 most watched sports events in Ireland were football events, 9 of which were senior international matches.

Robert Finnegan from 3, John Delaney and Giovanni Trapattoni show off Irelands new soccer jersey in the Aviva stadium.

Robert Finnegan, CEO, 3 said “We are delighted to announce this major sponsorship, and see this as a strong strategic fit for our business to drive awareness of our brand amongst supporters of the number 1 sport in the country”

Many soccer fans will be a little annoyed by this announcement as only months ago the FAI revelled a brand new retro style jersey for 2010/2011, which many people have already bought. John Delaney said he is aware that people will be annoyed over having to fork out more money on a new jersey expected to be out in the Autumn, and has said he will bring in a scheme similar to what Dublin GAA brought in with the release of their new jersey, which allowed fans to trade in their jerseys for new ones.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.