Over 30,000 visitors are expected to visit from overseas for Sunday’s historic clash
That is the view of Minister of State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue, who said that, based on calculations, the sums seem to favour hosting the event more than once.
“We’ll have to assess and do an assessment afterwards in terms of how it went and also what the benefit was, and that it makes sense for us to consider it again,” he told the Irish Independent at tonight’s NFL Experience fan event at Dublin Castle.
The Government conducted an initial cost-benefit analysis at the outset with Fáilte Ireland to determine the likelihood of this first event being successful in isolation.
“I’d be confident based on the figures so far that it would.”
Croke Park will host the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Photo: Sportsfile
Initial plans by the Government to host the game were sharply criticised for being seen to kowtow to demands by the plutocratic sports organisation by paying €10 million to host it. The sum covers the cost of hosting the game, security, transport and a “city activation fee” which is a payment made by the host authority to be able to facilitate an NFL game.
But Mr McConalogue insisted that the sum is a worthwhile investment overall.
“Our assessment from an economic point of view would be in terms of the €10 million that the Government is contributing to help enable the event and host the event.
“It’s going to return over €60 million of economic activity in the economy and €20 million then in terms of tax returns to the State, so it makes a lot of sense economically.”
The Government claimed that the college football game between Notre Dame and Navy at the Aviva Stadium two years ago generated €180 million.
General manager of NFL UK, Henry Hodgson is optimistic about returning the sport to Dublin after having negotiated with Dublin City Council, Croke Park and the GAA.
“We will work to evaluate whether on all sides it made the impact that we wanted it to collectively and then make a decision after that.”
More than 30,000 people will be expected to have flown into Dublin from overseas for Sunday’s match.
However, an undeniable element of controversy that could overshadow events on the day is the very direct link the NFL has with the ongoing suffering and displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
The owner of Minnesota Vikings, Mark Wilf, is also chair of the board of directors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The agency is a non-profit organisation that works to actively relocate Jews from around the world to Israel, contributing to ongoing displacement efforts of Palestinians in illegal settlements by the Israeli government to erase the possibility of a Palestinian state.
“We have a very clear view, and Ireland internationally has led out in relation to what’s been happening and the genocide we’ve been seeing happening in Palestine and continue to do so,” said Mr McConalogue.
He added: “Politically there may be differences of opinion in terms of Palestine as well, but we continue to have really good strong relationships which is really important.”