Sky Sports In Negotiations With Croke Park To Enter GAA Market

Sky Sports "is believed to be at an advanced state of negotiations" with Croke Park Stadium to enter the Gaelic Athletic Association market "as part of an overall deal featuring a range of broadcasters" for this year's All-Ireland champion games, according to Breheny & Boyle of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. RTE "will continue as the main rights holder, but several other stations, including Sky, are also interested in getting a slice of the market." Negotiations "have taken place under which the Sky package would feature up to 10 games, including two All-Ireland quarter-finals." It is unclear "whether Sky's bid is in conjunction with an other broadcaster." Awarding Sky exclusive rights to a particular package "would spark anger among the GAA public as it would leave them facing subscription charges." However, the GAA is "keen to exploit" its prime product to the maximum -- hence the interest in Sky, which has a proven record in promoting the sports it covers (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 3/27).