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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "The Gaa is owned by Gaa members and the GAA dont own the product. They are not a private entity or company but they are behaving like a corporate giant where money is king and to hell with rassroots and volunteering. If you survey the grassroots gaa community both young and old on the GAAs decision to charge for streaming games when rte have been almost shut out you will soon see how disenfranchised people are. The split season is wringing out players, more injuries, teams playing 3 weeks in a row but it also created a scenario where rte couldn't possibly cover even half the games. The product you mentioned is out of the shop window for at least 6 months!! Now it might be paying off financially for now as the split season is in its infancy but its slowly but surely alienating the people that actually make the GAA work. Ive often wondered where the GPA are and how they cant see the player welfare issues with lads playing 3 weeks in a row and sometimes 6 days apart and throw in a 440km journey and not hotels anywhere near the match venue.. Another talking shop as far as im concerned"
I think you'll find the GAA does own the 'product'. The Media organisations or Sponsors aren't sitting round tables negotiating with me or you. The membership of the GAA are free to put forward any proposals they like via their clubs if you don't like that notion but of course that would require members to deal with the harsh reality of economics, and they might not want to hear the truth about that. Members could also decide to setup a breakaway organisation if there was enough support for it but that would require even more effort again.

It's easier to sit on the ditch and complain about all of this of course.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2138 - 23/06/2026 04:28:16    2681376

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "The Gaa is owned by Gaa members and the GAA dont own the product. They are not a private entity or company but they are behaving like a corporate giant where money is king and to hell with rassroots and volunteering. If you survey the grassroots gaa community both young and old on the GAAs decision to charge for streaming games when rte have been almost shut out you will soon see how disenfranchised people are. The split season is wringing out players, more injuries, teams playing 3 weeks in a row but it also created a scenario where rte couldn't possibly cover even half the games. The product you mentioned is out of the shop window for at least 6 months!! Now it might be paying off financially for now as the split season is in its infancy but its slowly but surely alienating the people that actually make the GAA work. Ive often wondered where the GPA are and how they cant see the player welfare issues with lads playing 3 weeks in a row and sometimes 6 days apart and throw in a 440km journey and not hotels anywhere near the match venue.. Another talking shop as far as im concerned"
You're conflating about five different issues there:
- broadcasting & streaming.
- championship structure.
- championship schedule.
- the GPA and its effectiveness or otherwise.
- and even the hotel industry.

Am not quite sure what exactly it is you want. All matches to be streamed for free?

But....but....but....what about all the poor old people who don't have broadband or smart devices?

And if all matches are to be streamed for free so that volunteers etc. can enjoy them for free, then why not have free admission to all matches too?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3785 - 23/06/2026 11:06:44    2681414

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "You're conflating about five different issues there:
- broadcasting & streaming.
- championship structure.
- championship schedule.
- the GPA and its effectiveness or otherwise.
- and even the hotel industry.

Am not quite sure what exactly it is you want. All matches to be streamed for free?

But....but....but....what about all the poor old people who don't have broadband or smart devices?

And if all matches are to be streamed for free so that volunteers etc. can enjoy them for free, then why not have free admission to all matches too?"
Thats a politicians response if ever I heard one. Funny enough we always charged into matches as revenue is vital...but its only very recently we decided to shorten the season by 2 months cram everything in charge the people sitting at home to watch games and pack croke park for concerts to maximise revenue arcall costs. I like to respect and recognise the contributions those "poor old " and not so old people who gave many hours to club and county for free and kept clubs alive and still do. An ametuer organisation is being eroded by commercialism.

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 95 - 23/06/2026 13:03:45    2681460

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Thats a politicians response if ever I heard one. Funny enough we always charged into matches as revenue is vital...but its only very recently we decided to shorten the season by 2 months cram everything in charge the people sitting at home to watch games and pack croke park for concerts to maximise revenue arcall costs. I like to respect and recognise the contributions those "poor old " and not so old people who gave many hours to club and county for free and kept clubs alive and still do. An ametuer organisation is being eroded by commercialism."
GAA volunteers are called volunteers for a reason. When did the GAA stop respecting or recognising them?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8633 - 23/06/2026 14:43:19    2681499

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Replying To Square_B:  "They? Who is they? RTE? The GAA? GAA+? Someone else?

Have you anything positive to say about the GAA at all?

While you're at, maybe you could address my first reply to you... the GAA are entitled to maximise the revenue from the product they own... what part of that do you not get?"
By that rational - which is against its amateur ethos - the players should be entitled to maximise the revenue they can obtain from playing in the games.

At least professional sport rewards the talent. Not in the GAA - The GAA rewards the spoofers circling the talent who cant actually play the sport at the highest level.

Stats men, physios, defensive specialists etc etc - all making money from the lads playing on the pitch.

If the GAA matches are to be paid for, id rather see that money go to the people we are paying to watch.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1935 - 23/06/2026 15:04:13    2681505

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "By that rational - which is against its amateur ethos - the players should be entitled to maximise the revenue they can obtain from playing in the games.

At least professional sport rewards the talent. Not in the GAA - The GAA rewards the spoofers circling the talent who cant actually play the sport at the highest level.

Stats men, physios, defensive specialists etc etc - all making money from the lads playing on the pitch.

If the GAA matches are to be paid for, id rather see that money go to the people we are paying to watch."
Believe me, I'm not in disagreement with you. I do not agree with the payment of managers and support teams what so ever but we all know it's an accepted behaviour. In fairness, Jarleth Burns wants to address that but it's unlikely to be implemented in his tenure. In fairness, players are looked after by their involvement be it by the county board, the GPA & other deals they make have (appreciate that is not available to all). I would not be against an improvement to those benefits but would stop short of moving away from the current amateur status.

Aside of the above, there are other costs involved with running an organisation such as the GAA... and they are substantial. These costs are all freely available to scrutinise from the report produced annually.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2138 - 23/06/2026 15:55:44    2681529

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Thats a politicians response if ever I heard one. Funny enough we always charged into matches as revenue is vital...but its only very recently we decided to shorten the season by 2 months cram everything in charge the people sitting at home to watch games and pack croke park for concerts to maximise revenue arcall costs. I like to respect and recognise the contributions those "poor old " and not so old people who gave many hours to club and county for free and kept clubs alive and still do. An ametuer organisation is being eroded by commercialism."
So what exactly do you want? Live streaming of all matches for free?

Do you foresee any pitfalls if that were to happen?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3785 - 23/06/2026 16:12:37    2681538

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "GAA volunteers are called volunteers for a reason. When did the GAA stop respecting or recognising them?"
Yes you are correct they are called volunteers for a reason because the GAA is meant to be an ametuer organisation but they are becoming scarcer on the ground. The volunteers do the vast majority of the work and I include the players in this but money has saturated the organisation and the publics perception of the GAA is not good and this tarnishes the GAA at local level. While county teams showcase the best talent in the country and we have had a fantastic championship its too condensed, much of it is unavailable to watch on a tv that people have already paid subcsription and a tv licence for but the GAA decide to put the hand in deeper condense the season and swoop in with their own channel...All very convienent. It amazes me that the new Croke park was built and is debt free for over ten years now and with that massive £35 cost none of the men in suits imposed a charge similar to the stranglehold now on the viewing of our national game albeit a time when technology was more limited, but its not that long ago now. When Sky moved in the excuse we were given was that it would showcase our games all over the world at a time when for years you could already watch any game in America Australia the UK etc.. If sky were promoting and "showcasing" our games to the world who did they pass that baton to I wonder..

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 95 - 23/06/2026 18:14:17    2681572

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Yes you are correct they are called volunteers for a reason because the GAA is meant to be an ametuer organisation but they are becoming scarcer on the ground. The volunteers do the vast majority of the work and I include the players in this but money has saturated the organisation and the publics perception of the GAA is not good and this tarnishes the GAA at local level. While county teams showcase the best talent in the country and we have had a fantastic championship its too condensed, much of it is unavailable to watch on a tv that people have already paid subcsription and a tv licence for but the GAA decide to put the hand in deeper condense the season and swoop in with their own channel...All very convienent. It amazes me that the new Croke park was built and is debt free for over ten years now and with that massive £35 cost none of the men in suits imposed a charge similar to the stranglehold now on the viewing of our national game albeit a time when technology was more limited, but its not that long ago now. When Sky moved in the excuse we were given was that it would showcase our games all over the world at a time when for years you could already watch any game in America Australia the UK etc.. If sky were promoting and "showcasing" our games to the world who did they pass that baton to I wonder.."
What's your solution?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8633 - 25/06/2026 05:46:31    2681768

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Yes you are correct they are called volunteers for a reason because the GAA is meant to be an ametuer organisation but they are becoming scarcer on the ground. The volunteers do the vast majority of the work and I include the players in this but money has saturated the organisation and the publics perception of the GAA is not good and this tarnishes the GAA at local level. While county teams showcase the best talent in the country and we have had a fantastic championship its too condensed, much of it is unavailable to watch on a tv that people have already paid subcsription and a tv licence for but the GAA decide to put the hand in deeper condense the season and swoop in with their own channel...All very convienent. It amazes me that the new Croke park was built and is debt free for over ten years now and with that massive £35 cost none of the men in suits imposed a charge similar to the stranglehold now on the viewing of our national game albeit a time when technology was more limited, but its not that long ago now. When Sky moved in the excuse we were given was that it would showcase our games all over the world at a time when for years you could already watch any game in America Australia the UK etc.. If sky were promoting and "showcasing" our games to the world who did they pass that baton to I wonder.."
This is nothing but a moan fest and not a very coherent one at that.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2138 - 25/06/2026 09:50:27    2681804

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Replying To Square_B:  "This is nothing but a moan fest and not a very coherent one at that."
Its just stating what's happening and you are right its not pretty sorry if you have difficulty in understanding it.
Theres a stir on though..Political pressure coming on the GAA to make all games free to air in 2027..This is a follow on supporting Kerry County Council as they passed an emergency motion last week for the GAA to make all games free to air. All local authorities are expected to follow. Read the papers.. managers and ex managers are beginning to call out this unsustainable season C Farrell in today's Indo hood article. So moan fest it may be but a lot off GAA people not happy and want change. It must be bad when the fg party are pushing it.

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 95 - 25/06/2026 22:57:59    2681957

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Its just stating what's happening and you are right its not pretty sorry if you have difficulty in understanding it.
Theres a stir on though..Political pressure coming on the GAA to make all games free to air in 2027..This is a follow on supporting Kerry County Council as they passed an emergency motion last week for the GAA to make all games free to air. All local authorities are expected to follow. Read the papers.. managers and ex managers are beginning to call out this unsustainable season C Farrell in today's Indo hood article. So moan fest it may be but a lot off GAA people not happy and want change. It must be bad when the fg party are pushing it."
The FG party aren't pushing it.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8633 - 26/06/2026 12:17:12    2682029

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Its just stating what's happening and you are right its not pretty sorry if you have difficulty in understanding it.
Theres a stir on though..Political pressure coming on the GAA to make all games free to air in 2027..This is a follow on supporting Kerry County Council as they passed an emergency motion last week for the GAA to make all games free to air. All local authorities are expected to follow. Read the papers.. managers and ex managers are beginning to call out this unsustainable season C Farrell in today's Indo hood article. So moan fest it may be but a lot off GAA people not happy and want change. It must be bad when the fg party are pushing it."
I'd safely say I read more papers and am more informed than you'll ever be.

I'm not allowed say what I think about your post and the motion you refer to above. Suffice to say this is nothing but populist nonsense and should not, in any way shape or form, be taken seriously.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2138 - 26/06/2026 12:52:21    2682040

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"All games free to air"
How about free admission to all games?
Why should loyal supporters have to pay while lazy armchair fans of all sports can watch games free on TV.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 680 - 26/06/2026 13:07:32    2682049

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Replying To Seanfan:  ""All games free to air"
How about free admission to all games?
Why should loyal supporters have to pay while lazy armchair fans of all sports can watch games free on TV."
Because you can only fit a certain amount of people into a grounds and that same grounds has maintenance and operating costs which obviously justifys an admittance fee. Anyway neutrals from the south of the country are hardly going to want to travel up to watch e.g. Roscommon v Mayo in Connaught but there was a time when most of those matches were available for them to watch on RTE for free when the organisation wasnt in as good of financial health as it is now. Comparing charging for viewing and admittance are two polar opposite situations and non comparable in my opinion.

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 95 - 26/06/2026 13:39:16    2682054

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Replying To Square_B:  "I'd safely say I read more papers and am more informed than you'll ever be.

I'm not allowed say what I think about your post and the motion you refer to above. Suffice to say this is nothing but populist nonsense and should not, in any way shape or form, be taken seriously."
If you the papers this week you would see two articles one by a 3 time all ireland winning hurling manager, another by a 6 time all Ireland winning footballer and there are 3 current county managers weighing in with what Im referring to and Kerry county Council and others to follow just as I stated...Isn't this coming from voters if the political parties are getting involved?? You can say what you want but what I said is the complete opposite of populist its merely a reflection of what a lot of people are thinking.

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 95 - 26/06/2026 13:47:29    2682060

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Replying To Seanfan:  ""All games free to air"
How about free admission to all games?
Why should loyal supporters have to pay while lazy armchair fans of all sports can watch games free on TV."
You're framing this in the wrong way. I fully appreciate that there's people who cannot, for whatever reason attend games. They shouldn't be tarred as 'lazy'.

However, the idea that there is an automatic right to free to air troubles me, as it appears to trouble you also. I guarantee you, as true as night follows day, if RTE announced that the license fee was to increase to fund the purchase of sporting rights, people would be up in arms.

Virgin Media & Sky had the rights and gave them up as they couldn't justify the investment. So the GAA is doing it themselves and making a profit out of it. Profit that is reinvested into the GAA and not some faceless shareholder. Not withstanding this, why should the GAA give away their product for nothing?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2138 - 26/06/2026 13:54:36    2682062

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Because you can only fit a certain amount of people into a grounds and that same grounds has maintenance and operating costs which obviously justifys an admittance fee. Anyway neutrals from the south of the country are hardly going to want to travel up to watch e.g. Roscommon v Mayo in Connaught but there was a time when most of those matches were available for them to watch on RTE for free when the organisation wasnt in as good of financial health as it is now. Comparing charging for viewing and admittance are two polar opposite situations and non comparable in my opinion."
You dont get " tongue in cheek"!!
Youd think ever game was free to air till GAAgo or plus appeared.
How many matches were free to air in 2006?
How many in 2026?

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 680 - 26/06/2026 14:01:38    2682067

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Because you can only fit a certain amount of people into a grounds and that same grounds has maintenance and operating costs which obviously justifys an admittance fee. Anyway neutrals from the south of the country are hardly going to want to travel up to watch e.g. Roscommon v Mayo in Connaught but there was a time when most of those matches were available for them to watch on RTE for free when the organisation wasnt in as good of financial health as it is now. Comparing charging for viewing and admittance are two polar opposite situations and non comparable in my opinion."
As Square_B pointed out above, that County Council motion is nothing but populist nonsense. And in general, County Council motions for anything outside of the county that passes them are barely worth the paper they're written on anyway.

And seems you and others of your mindset continue to overlook several key considerations, including:
- Even if the GAA gave away the broadcast rights of all matches for free, how do they force RTE or any other broadcaster to actually show them? There's significant expense and logistics involved in every live broadcast.

- RTE continue to show as many or more live championship games free-to-air as they ever did. It's not the case that the extra number of matches now shown on GAA+ "used to be shown on RTE instead". Reality is that if they weren't shown on GAA+, they wouldn't be shown anywhere.

- We're in a GAA echo chamber here, but RTE - as a national public service broadcaster - would have to be mindful of the large proportion of the population who have no interest at all in watching GAA matches. Yes, they're showing wall-to-wall soccer at the moment and many of us have no great interest in soccer either, but that's for only a few weeks, every couple of years. If their schedule was full of live GAA every Saturday & Sunday from mid-April through to end of July every single year (and possibly beyond July if people who want the inter-county season extended got their way), then they'd alienate a large part of their viewership.

So again - a County Council motion demanding that all championship matches be shown live and free-to-air is nothing but populist nonsense. With no grounding whatsoever in reality.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3785 - 26/06/2026 14:16:47    2682070

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "Because you can only fit a certain amount of people into a grounds and that same grounds has maintenance and operating costs which obviously justifys an admittance fee. Anyway neutrals from the south of the country are hardly going to want to travel up to watch e.g. Roscommon v Mayo in Connaught but there was a time when most of those matches were available for them to watch on RTE for free when the organisation wasnt in as good of financial health as it is now. Comparing charging for viewing and admittance are two polar opposite situations and non comparable in my opinion."
RTE isn't free. Funded by taxpayers, many of whom have no interest in sport, and the mandatory TV licence.Either is GAA+ but you've a choice to buy it or not like other streaming platforms. Government still coin in on the VAT if you buy.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8633 - 26/06/2026 15:20:38    2682084

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