Expect the great GPA debate to really kick-off now
First it’s the Player Grants Scheme. For five years it was a case of would they or wouldn’t they – would the Government pay for the scheme or wouldn’t they?
Now it’s a case of will the Government pull the plug on the scheme or won’t they? It’s an unfortunate situation for the GPA. Having secured the grant scheme after years of lobbying, cajoling and threatening, it must be quite nauseating to hear so much talk now about the hard-earned gains being eroded after one year.
Sports Minister Martin Cullen seems to be undecided. The GPA have indicated they are willing to take a cut of 8-10% in line with similar cuts across the board, but under no circumstances will they countenance any cessation of the scheme.
It’s hard to blame them. If the scheme per se was justified last year, it is justified this year. The tax breaks for professional players and others still apply and the introduction of these tax concessions for other sportsmen were the original basis for the GPA’s argument and campaign.
It is now very much in the political domain and in the end political clout, more than economics, might decide it.
I expect the GPA to roll out their political lobbying wagon over the next few weeks but they would be well advised to argue their case on it own merits and not to be dragged into debate about horses and greyhounds. These are huge industries which should be the domain of the Department of Agriculture rather than Department of Sport.
The GPA is also sabre-rattling on a different front. This time it’s with the GAA – the question of official recognition for the GPA was prioritised by Nickey Brennan during his presidency, and while much progress was made, it all came to nought in the end – why?
Well Nickey didn’t spare them in his final address to Congress so it was clear he wasn’t too happy. Be that as it may, one of the key challenges for the GPA is funding. Quite simply, they can’t exist without it.
Up to now, they have done remarkably well in attracting commercial funding from such groups as Carphone Warehouse and Opel, but commercial funding in recessionary times is hard to come by. Thus, if the GPA are to agree to official recognition and the responsibilities and curtailments, especially in commercial activities, that this would inevitably bring, they want to exact a price.
The price is some form of guaranteed funding from the GAA for their activities. The GPA know only too well that their corresponding associations in other sports, such as soccer and rugby, have not only financial support but also office accommodation and so on provided as part of agreements to work within the fold.
The decision of the GPA not to give post match interviews to RTÉ and TV3 in the upcoming Munster hurling and Leinster football finals may have little impact on the efficacy of the programmes themselves – indeed, most people might not even notice if it wasn’t announced in advance.
But as a little statement of intent, it has opened a new can of worms. As the lid loosens on that can, there will be many anxious eyes strained on it to see what emerges. I have a feeling that this story is going to grow and grow.
You ain’t seen nothing yet.
