Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct look set to become the sponsors of Cork GAA over the next five years in a deal that will be worth €2 million for the Munster county.
According to The Sunday Times, the deal will include a guaranteed payment of €2 million and could increase by a further €2 million depending on performances by Cork teams in both codes. The sponsorship deal includes a €200,000 bonus for an All-Ireland title and a boot deal.
The deal will be officially confirmed by Sports Direct and the Cork County Board next month.
It will see the sportswear company replace long term partners Chill Insurance as the sponsors of the second biggest GAA county in Ireland.
The deal follows news earlier this week that the FAI are paying €100,000 to the Newcastle United owner Ashley’s Sports Direct. This is the company’s first involvement with an inter-county GAA team and represents a serious financial boost for a county who overspent on the renovation to their home stadium Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Cork will be hoping that the sponsorship deal can help them to restore their place as a hurling and football powerhouse having not won an All-Ireland football title since 2010 and an All-Ireland hurling title since 2005.
