With just two months to go until the League of Ireland is set to resume, the outlook is not great for the Premier and First division clubs.
The league is yet to confirm a sponsor and teams are still to receive confirmation of the financial support that they will need to take part.
Last year, €2 million was required to complete the league as clubs emerged from the lockdown - that figure provided enough to complete between half and a third of the games. With this year proving to be a greater challenge than 12 months ago.
Clubs have been advised that they are to expect to have no fans in the stands due to the current restrictions in place for elite sport and as such, ticket sales and regular match day revenue will be at an all-time low.
According to a report in the Irish Times from Emmet Malone this week, one club chairman has said that the league would require a ballpark figure of €9 million in order to facilitate "behind closed doors" games.
Emmet joined Nigel for On The Ball this week to discuss what's needed to get the league underway this year.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/02xzQ6bqPvt8HOxAMK3ZsP?si=twwiyQFzR6uL7_D4q-fqYg
