Munster to sell naming rights for Thomond Pack

ned14

Irish Times this morning reports the naming rights for Thomond park could be up for sale. Not going to be a popular one!

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/munster-to-sell-the-naming-rights-for-thomond-park-1.1773070

Enright

They tried this before and following uproar, gave in. They introduced a Thomond Park line of clothing using the brand.

It will always be referred to as THOMOND PARK ! no matter

crisco10

Enright wrote: »

They tried this before and following uproar, gave in. They introduced a Thomond Park line of clothing using the brand.

It will always be referred to as THOMOND PARK ! no matter

People said that about The Aviva Lansdowne Road. Most people in my experience now do call it The Aviva....

justsomebloke

crisco10 wrote: »

People said that about The Aviva Lansdowne Road. Most people in my experience now do call it The Aviva....

Yes but the only reason it worked was because it was a completely new stadium, completed in one go with none of the original stadium remaining and the naming rights were sorted from the get go.

If you don't have all those elements it just won't work. So Ravenhill's partial redevelopment wouldn't even be as successful as it is only a partial rebuild. So the ability to sell naming rights will be curtailed as people won't associate the stadium with the new name, as nothing as changed.

razorblunt

The Thomond Park clothing line is awful stuff altogether.

If Musgraves Cash and Carry don't jump on this opportunity they'll miss a trick:
Musgraves Park in Limerick, the province will implode!

Losty Dublin

razorblunt wrote: »

If Musgraves Cash and Carry don't jump on this opportunity they'll miss a trick:
Musgraves Park in Limerick, the province will implode!

Or better yet, Centra Park

Akrasia

I still call the 'rabo pro 12' The Celtic league. i still call 'Pro evolution Soccer' International Superstar Soccer and I still call 'Snickers' Marathon bars.

I'll still call Thomand Park Thomand Park regardless of who sponsors it

danthefan

Everyone will keep calling it Thomond.

I hope the faux outrage can be kept to a minimum though, this is Munster getting free money.

Podge_irl

justsomebloke wrote: »

Yes but the only reason it worked was because it was a completely new stadium, completed in one go with none of the original stadium remaining and the naming rights were sorted from the get go.

If you don't have all those elements it just won't work. So Ravenhill's partial redevelopment wouldn't even be as successful as it is only a partial rebuild. So the ability to sell naming rights will be curtailed as people won't associate the stadium with the new name, as nothing as changed.

I wouldn't agree with that at all. It being a new stadium certainly helps but ultimately I think any official name change would quite likely seep into the public consciousness eventually. All the media will have to use it and that has a big impact.

former legend

Akrasia wrote: »

I still call the 'rabo pro 12' The Celtic league. i still call 'Pro evolution Soccer' International Superstar Soccer and I still call 'Snickers' Marathon bars.

I'll still call Thomand Park Thomand Park regardless of who sponsors it

It's Thomond.

pickarooney

Akrasia wrote: »

I still call the 'rabo pro 12' The Celtic league. i still call 'Pro evolution Soccer' International Superstar Soccer and I still call 'Snickers' Marathon bars.

I'll still call Thomand Park Thomand Park regardless of who sponsors it

I think it's slightly insulting to the Italian teams to continue calling it the Celtic League.

Is Thomand the new Landsdowne?

Larbre34

Ive got a suggestion that could work. It will bring in the huge resources of Procter and Gamble, it will resonate like the punchy names of the great rugby stadia of the world, it wont be too different to the current hallowed moniker and it will represent all that is so passionate about Munster playing at home.


Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Tampax Park!

irishbucsfan

People will use the new name. It always happens, there is plenty of evidence of it from American sports. The media will be obliged to use the new name and the fans will follow, it's always how it works.

It doesn't really matter to me. It is not hand nor foot.

phog

Akrasia wrote: »

I still call the 'rabo pro 12' The Celtic league. i still call 'Pro evolution Soccer' International Superstar Soccer and I still call 'Snickers' Marathon bars.

I'll still call Thomand Park Thomand Park regardless of who sponsors it

How many people call the Nissan car a Datsun, or O'Connell St, Sackville St (Dublin) or George's St (Limerick) or call The O2, The Point or the Point Depot.

Some will continue to call it Thomond like some still use Lansdowne for the Aviva but if the new name is easy on the tongue then it will catch on. Tournament organisers and media will have to use the new name so over time it will catch on.

Buer

Larbre34 wrote: »

Ive got a suggestion that could work. It will bring in the huge resources of Procter and Gamble, it will resonate like the punchy names of the great rugby stadia of the world, it wont be too different to the current hallowed moniker and it will represent all that is so passionate about Munster playing at home.


Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Tampax Park!

Is Eric Miller their spokesperson?

BoarHunter

The ToyotArena I can see it from here !

Most people will still call it Thomond at the start but as the journalists will be legally forced to call it by its new name on TV people are going to get in the journalist lingo and adopt the new name.... That's how I see it.

.ak

SuperMac's Park

Orion

phog wrote: »

How many people call ... The Point or the Point Depot.

*ahem* http://www.luas.ie/the-point.html

on the river

Thomand Park belongs to the people of Munster not the big fancy business people. Munster always stood for

the ordinary man and women. It seems money is the only thing that matters to some , where pride , passion and respect

is disregarded for the fiancial benefits of the inner circle.

Its about time the people of limerick stood up for their stadium and their home.

Its time to awaken the real MUNSTER.

LeinsterDub

Orion wrote: »

*ahem* http://www.luas.ie/the-point.html

The stop is different to the venue the name The point is used for that whole area

Buer

Orion wrote: »

*ahem* http://www.luas.ie/the-point.html

That's the name of a tram stop not the venue.

Regardless, you'll find somewhere that calls it The Point as a one off. It doesn't change the fact that 95% of people refer to it exclusively as The O2 now.

Most people under the age of 21 have never been to The Point and don't know it as anything else now.

postitnote

Larbre34 wrote: »

...Tampax Park!

Plus, playing in red and all that.







Sorry.

LeinsterDub

on the river wrote: »

the ordinary man and women. It seems money is the only thing that matters to some , where pride , passion and respect

It's hard to have pride and passion if your're constantly getting hammered. The game is about money now. Would you rather Thomond Park or a European Cup?

on the river

LeinsterDub wrote: »

It's hard to have pride and passion if your're constantly getting hammered. The game is about money now. Would you rather Thomond Park or a European Cup?

both

LeinsterDub

on the river wrote: »

both

:rolleyes:

razorblunt

postitnote wrote: »

Plus, playing in red and all that.







Sorry.

And Anthony Foley with his big moody head on him every now and then.

on the river

LeinsterDub wrote: »

:rolleyes:

ya leinster dub it seems leinster did pretty well in keeping your three stadiums

and competing in the european competition. Its seems some can have it all.;)

.ak

postitnote wrote: »

Plus, playing in red and all that.







Sorry.

'Toulouse to travel into the Red Sea'...

:eek:

B0X

pickarooney wrote: »

I think it's slightly insulting to the Italian teams to continue calling it the Celtic League.

Ah sure the Celts made it into northern Italy and that's where all the rugby is played there.

.ak

on the river wrote: »

ya leinster dub it seems leinster did pretty well in keeping your three stadiums

and competing in the european competition. Its seems some can have it all.;)

Leinster are currently looking for a naming sponsor for the RDS rebuild.

Well, Leinster aren't, the RDS is, but the want is completely mutual.

Robbo

According to the Times article, this is "in an effort to keep pace with the big-spending French and English clubs."

Would it not be more prudent in the long term to, y'know, actually pay down the debt on the gaff?

Podge_irl

on the river wrote: »

Thomand Park belongs to the people of Munster

Yeah...

No it doesn't.

jm08

Robbo wrote: »

According to the Times article, this is "in an effort to keep pace with the big-spending French and English clubs."

Would it not be more prudent in the long term to, y'know, actually pay down the debt on the gaff?

I don't think so. The debt is about 10m owed to its parent company, IRFU. Its not as if Munster are paying exhorbitant interest rates on it. What would the IRFU do with the money that would be better than help keeping Munster competitive?

I doubt if they will do it - most brands would be afraid to buy it because of the possible negative reaction to it.

Larbre34

.ak wrote: »

Leinster are currently looking for a naming sponsor for the RDS rebuild.

Well, Leinster aren't, the RDS is, but the want is completely mutual.

Can only be Storbucks Arena, roysh?

.ak

Larbre34 wrote: »

Can only be Storbucks Arena, roysh?

One can only hope.

SoapMcTavish

How much is the name worth ? Seriously - what could Munster expect to earn per year for naming rights ?

Sabre0001

From a non-businessman (and poor person's POV), would there be any sense in purchasing the naming rights to keep it as Thomond Park? You'd get publicity from it and there's more of a feel-good / local story to it...


But perhaps that kind of thinking is why I don't have money to my name!

Heroditas

SoapMcTavish wrote: »

How much is the name worth ? Seriously - what could Munster expect to earn per year for naming rights ?

RDS were looking for €1.5m per annum for naming rights for their redeveloped stadium so that might prove to be a useful reference point.
Note they're still looking for that €1.5m so it could very well be less than that.

danthefan

Larbre34 wrote: »

Can only be Storbucks Arena, roysh?

If they're paying - no bother.

irishbucsfan

Sabre0001 wrote: »

From a non-businessman (and poor person's POV), would there be any sense in purchasing the naming rights to keep it as Thomond Park? You'd get publicity from it and there's more of a feel-good / local story to it...


But perhaps that kind of thinking is why I don't have money to my name!

You'd be paying a lot to beat out others and your contribution would be very quickly forgotten by the majority. There's no business case for it really.

former legend

.ak wrote: »

Leinster are currently looking for a naming sponsor for the RDS rebuild.

Well, Leinster aren't, the RDS is, but the want is completely mutual.

Would Leinster see any of the cash though?

Heroditas

former legend wrote: »

Would Leinster see any of the cash though?

No, not a penny.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

on the river wrote: »

Thomand Park belongs to the people of Munster not the big fancy business people. Munster always stood for

the ordinary man and women. It seems money is the only thing that matters to some , where pride , passion and respect

is disregarded for the fiancial benefits of the inner circle.

Its about time the people of limerick stood up for their stadium and their home.

Its time to awaken the real MUNSTER.

absolute gold

danthefan

Heroditas wrote: »

No, not a penny.

I'd say it depends on how smart Leinster were when they moved in. Leinster playing in the RDS has clearly giving the RDS a load of exposure (i.e. hosting a televised event every fortnight or so during the season), far more than the RDS would have had otherwise. I doubt anyone would be bothered sponsoring it otherwise - take out Leinster and you've the horse show and some concerts, nobody is going to sponsor the RDS for that.

CIARAN_BOYLE

former legend wrote: »

Would Leinster see any of the cash though?

An extra 5000 capacity at similar enough rents

.ak

former legend wrote: »

Would Leinster see any of the cash though?

Not from the rights, no.

But you'd imagine the benefits from the stadium improvement would be as good as.

Pete_Cavan

Thomond Park is already a well established brand in its own right and is known throughout the rugby world. Any sponsor would be better off piggybacking on that by retaining the name and tagging their name onto it. Red Bull Thomond Park would get instant recognition and people would associate that brand with the successful Muster Rugby brand, Red Bull Park could be anywhere or any sport, it is instantly forgettable. The Thomond Park brand is also very important to Munster so it is in their interest to keep it too.

Robbo

Larbre34 wrote: »

Can only be Storbucks Arena, roysh?

Be more Starbucks style to buy up everything around the RDS and take it by default.

Buer

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Red Bull Park could be anywhere or any sport, it is instantly forgettable.

Clontarf should absolutely look to set this up for Castle Avenue!

who_me

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Thomond Park is already a well established brand in its own right and is known throughout the rugby world. Any sponsor would be better off piggybacking on that by retaining the name and tagging their name onto it. Red Bull Thomond Park would get instant recognition and people would associate that brand with the successful Muster Rugby brand, Red Bull Park could be anywhere or any sport, it is instantly forgettable. The Thomond Park brand is also very important to Munster so it is in their interest to keep it too.

I'd agree. It's one of the best-known and biggest club rugby grounds in the world, it seems both counter-intuitive and counter-productive to just extinguish the name like that.

It takes a lot of time and effort to build that kind of name recognition, so to just get rid of it and replace it with another company's brand is a bit of a risk, there's no real going back. After 10/15 years of SuperMac park, going back to Thomond Park would be like going back to square one.

And the reason for it is the more worrying thing. Chasing after the French clubs who we'll never, ever be able to match financially is a risky business. All that's going to end up happening is Munster paying more and more for the same players.

Pete_Cavan

They should have combined the naming rights for both Thomond and Musgrave Park into one package; Brand X Thomond Park and Brand X Musgrave Park. I am sure that would be more valuable than individual deals, at least they can offer Munster playing all home games in a stadium with your name attached (I know they might choose to play a home HEC semi in the Aviva but you know what I mean). Unfortunately that horse has bolted for now, should align the expiration of both deals so they can do this next time round.