UCD report puts a cloud over Sky deal

Claims by the GAA’s hierarchy that the Sky Sports deal has been good for the association have been contested by a leading sports academic, says John Fogarty.

In a paper entitled “Sports Rights Commercialisation: Sky and the GAA,” UCD’s Dr Paul Rouse has quoted viewership and reach figures which contrast with those supported by the GAA.

In his annual report published yesterday, director general Páraic Duffy states 427,000 people in Britain watched Sky Sports’ coverage of Kilkenny and Tipperary’s drawn All-Ireland hurling final last year.