The long-mooted sponsorship deal between SuperValu and Páirc Uí Chaoimh has become a reality.
Cork GAA was met with plenty of resistance as soon the prospect of the partnership became public knowledge in the last fortnight, mainly due to the fact that its iconic stadium was about to be re-named.
Among the critics of the deal were the family of Pádraig Ó Caoimh, the former director general of the GAA of 35 years after whom the stadium is named.
SuperValu Park/Páirc was the initial idea for the re-naming of the stadium but something of a compromise has now been found, with the sponsorship to come into place and with the stadium to be re-named as SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
A 1o year partnership has been signed off between Cork GAA and the retailer with the naming rights set to be finalised in a meeting of Cork delegates on Thursday night.
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan explained in a statement how Cork GAA are keen ‘to engage with members of the O Caoimh family and keep them informed of developments.’
The value of the deal is described as a confidential commercial matter, though it is believed to be worth in the region of €250,000 per year to Cork GAA. Having been re-built in 2017, Páirc Uí Chaoimh poses a debt of €30 million for Cork GAA, which is to be re-paid in the next 25 years.
“We are very excited to embark on a new journey with our partners in SuperValu, a retailer that has community and family at its core.
“We are confident that they will bring these shared values to the future of the home of Cork GAA.
“The realisation of naming rights is another step in the right direction and shows the value that the Cork GAA brand retains as we continue to expand our commercial model in support of our games.
“As part of this process, we continue to engage with members of the O Caoimh family and keep them informed of developments.”
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