THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
Magners to be first Celtic League sponsor
DAVID FERGUSON
MAGNERS will be confirmed as the new Celtic League sponsor this month in what will provide a welcome financial boost to Scottish rugby's cash-strapped union.

The Irish-based cider maker has agreed a three-year deal with the Celtic League's three unions, but everything was on hold until agreement could be reached over a new 'Celtic Accord'. This is the agreement drawn up between Scotland, Wales and Ireland over how the tournament is run and how income is split.

There has been a tremendous amount of haggling in recent months, with the Welsh RU seemingly reluctant to sign the accord. It is understood the involvement of broadcaster BBC Wales was the main stumbling block, but that is now coming to a satisfactory conclusion and a meeting of the Celtic League committee is expected to finally agree the new accord later this month.

It is understood that the tournament will become known as the "Magners Celtic League" in Scotland and Wales and the "Bulmers Celtic League" in Ireland, where the cider is marketed under the name of the parent company. The new kit of all the teams competing will feature sleeved branding and sources have confirmed that the deal will be worth "a seven-figure sum" to the Celtic League.

That should plough a significant sum of new money into the SRU coffers at a time when they are striving to find private financiers for the professional teams to halt the haemorrhaging of cash from Murrayfield. Broadcast deals are also close to be signed, which could see further income generated for the Celtic League unions.

However, David Jordan, chief executive of the Celtic League, was reluctant to comment, no doubt acutely aware of how close deals have come in recent years - the tournament has never had a sponsor - only for hopes to be dashed at the last minute.

This article was posted on 11-May-2006, 06:59 by Hugh Barrow.