Giving Professionals a Sporting Chance

BDO established Ireland's first and only dedicated Sports Advisory Unit in 2002. It is led by Ciarán Medlar, head of BDO's Sports Advisory Unit, who has worked closely with sports-based businesses and professional players for many years.

BDO's Sports Advisory Unit lists among its clients Leinster Rugby, Sunderland Football Club, and the Republic of Ireland Players Pool, which is a joint venture between Irish soccer players and the FAI.

Another important service carried out by the unit is in the area of structuring sponsorships. BDO has advised the Players Pool on many occasions when the Republic of Ireland qualified for major finals to specifically make the most of the commercial opportunities presented by qualification.

The unit also represents some of the professional Irish soccer players based in the UK and has a strong track record in the rugby world.

 

 

We work with many of Ireland's leading sporting professionals across a number of sporting codes and disciplines, including rugby, soccer and golf. Our aim is to develop a long-term strategy for our clients to allow them plan for themselves both during and, most importantly, after their sporting careers. We provide our professional sporting clients with a financial platform by the age of 32 or 33 to help them develop the next stage of their lives post professional sport.
Ciarán MedlarPartner, BDO Ireland
Players need to understand the value of their brand and they also need to protect that brand when engaging sponsors. They must place a value on the use of things such as their association, photos, shirt numbers, nicknames, and even haircuts. For a sports personality, their brand is a business asset - one they must protect, as well as build. While the opportunities for sponsorship have diminished somewhat in recent years, an elite soccer or rugby player should still have an opportunity to secure deals with boot manufacturers, sports drinks companies, and even telecommunications companies.
Ciarán MedlarPartner, BDO Ireland


BDO Ireland, the official business advisor for Leinster Rugby for more than a decade



leinster-official-business-advisor-bdo

We have the industry knowledge and expertise to advise on financial and tax planning issues relevant to sports professionals and clubs. When it comes to seeking advice, it's hard to beat experience.
Ciarán MedlarPartner, BDO Ireland
We act for many of Ireland's elite rugby players, helping them to realise value from their talent, both on and off the pitch, and we also represent a number of professional clubs. At BDO in Ireland, we've been very proud to be the official business advisors for Leinster Rugby for more than a decade now. Rugby is one of the few sports in Ireland where star players tend to remain with Irish clubs. We also guide them towards a more effective use of the tax reliefs available for them, these reliefs have made it more attractive for professional sports people to stay and play in Ireland. The sports retirement tax relief provides a tax refund to those who carry on and finish their playing career in Ireland. It has proven to be a significant and effective tax reform, one that has greatly helped players to plan beyond the end of their playing career and ensure that elite professional rugby is played here weekly.
Ciarán MedlarPartner, BDO Ireland

Content adapted from Business Post.

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