Opening shot – The GAA is embracing the soccer model

Television coverage is growing in importance to the GAA

John Hughes believes that any deal with Sky isn’t only about raising money, he believes it is also a step towards a professional GAA game.

In his Gaelic Life column this week, he suggests that Sky television’s subscription service only acclamitises the population to paying to watch the game.

“There is only one explanation for continuing with the deal and it has damn all to do with putting extra money in the club’s pockets.

“Yes it is about wringing more money from the game, but there is more to it thant that. It’s also about getting the GAA public accustomed to the idea of paying for the product. It’s about turning it into the soccer model.”

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