Munster's Thomond Park could be getting a stadium sponsor with the IRFU confirming that selling it's naming rights is a possibility.
The idea was contemplated back in 2008 when the Limerick stadium was redeveloped and its capacity was increased from 15,000 to 25,000 but Munster bosses eventually decided against it.
The IRFU's Chief Executive Philip Browne has now confirmed to journalist Rory Keane of the Irish Daily Mail that the idea is being considered again and could be a reality in the next few years.
"It's still on the cards. They're looking at it, The difficulty with naming rights it that it's much easier to sell for a new stadium than it is for a stadium that's already there."
Thomond, of course, wouldn't be the first stadium in the country to go down this lucrative route. A number of GAA and soccer grounds have entered sponsorship deals as well as Belfast's Kingspan Stadium and of course the Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road.
Browne has high praise for that deal with Aviva in particular;
"The naming rights in the Aviva Stadium is probably one of the most successful naming rights. Does anyone call the place Landsdowne Road any more? The traction that it got has been really quite remarkable and that deal has been extended to 2025, which is great."
Putting the naming rights up for sale would bring about welcome revenue with Munster Rugby currently in €6.8 million of debt and being heavily reliant on the IRFU for financial assistance in the past.
Browne's 2016 Annual report went as far as to say the union could no longer be the 'lender of last resort.'
The province though has said they are on course to break even next year and that repayments to the IRFU have been aided greatly by money that the larger stadium is bringing in.
Browne has addressed this and also the pressures the province face "They're chipping away at it."
"The reality is that professional rugby is a marginal business. The difference between success and failure can boil down to things like getting a home quarter-final in Europe or not."
"There would be little point in the union putting them under more significant pressure."
"We're happy we have an agreement in place and everyone's happy about that."
Munster's opening Pro14 game this coming season against the Dragons takes place at Thomond Park on September 28.
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