Former Ireland international Niall Quinn has outlined his vision for a revamp of the League of Ireland.

Recent seasons have seen a drop in attendances, facilities at some Premier Division grounds are below standard and many sides are struggling to survive financially.

In addition, the league winners receive just €100,000 in prize money.

Speaking on RTÉ Sport's Game On in the wake of the resignation of Trevor Croly from Bray Wanderers, Quinn said: "I would love to see a revamp of the League of Ireland on the basis that money can be made externally.

"There are emerging countries around the world and their TV companies are desperate for content.

"Now I know I can watch football from Chile and Honduras at 2am and 3am and that's money that is making its way from TV companies back into football in those countries."

Quinn cited the example of cricket in the Caribbean.

He said: "Cricket was dead, people went in - they changed it all around, they revamped it, they styled it, and now they've sold it to over 50 countries around the world."

The former Sunderland chairman asked, "Are we big and bold enough to envisage a situation where our league is revamped, the problems you talk about are taken care of on day one, big backing comes in and we can sell that product?"

Quinn said he was involved with people looking for content from African countries and knew for a fact that they would pay.

"If this thing gets a bit of energy, and a backer comes in, I think the league could really take its place," he said.

When asked if such a move would have to take place outside of the umbrella of the FAI, Quinn said: "They have governance of everything.

"You have to give them a bit of credit at times because they have probably put out more fires that we have never seen because the league has been in a bad place."

Expressing his hope that the league can be bounced back out of the "perilous position" it is in, Quinn pointed to the example of the MLS

"There are emerging countries around the world and their TV companies are desperate for content"

He said: "[The MLS] was dead on its feet [but there is now] a central running of it that makes everything work - it's sexy now, for want of a better word.

"There may be a bit of pressure needed on the FAI from someone, or a group of people, who can do something about it. It may have to be foreign.

"History tells you it is a fantastic league, but it needs something now. This thing isn't going to happen by itself.

"If we can sell rights in this country to our football, you are now on the world stage."

On the possible return of Damien Duff to the league with Shamrock Rovers, Quinn said: "He's an uncomplicated, brilliant lad."

"He wants to give this a go and boost the profile of a league that badly needs it.

"It's not for money, he wants to come back and be a footballer and see out his days in the League of Ireland."