Row over ‘loss-making’ GAA video deepens

THE row between the Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) and the GAA over players’ image rights has deepened.

The GPA last night reacted angrily to comments made by Croke Park bosses relating to the Cork hurlers’ statement outlining their discontent with the Setanta production The Rebel Rising”.

The players’ organisation is upset at suggestions that “the players should consider bringing out a video themselves,” and claims that the video/DVD production “is made purely for promotional purposes and there is no money made from it.”

The GPA counter-claimed that: “it is incredulous for the GAA and Setanta to suggest that this particular venture will be loss-making in a county such as Cork.

“Furthermore, if managed and promoted appropriately, the association feels that end of year productions represent an excellent commercial opportunity on an annual basis.”

The GPA insists the co-operation of players would add significant volume to sales and a transparent mechanism to allocate a percentage of sales to a players’ holiday fund would fuel demand further.

CEO Dessie Farrell said: “It seems ironic that at a time when the GAA are significantly escalating the fees for the right to broadcast their games, they are now publicly denouncing year end productions such as The Rebel Rising as loss-making ventures. The GPA would be more than happy to relieve the GAA of this perceived burden and ensure player participation, promotional effectiveness and profit share between the relevant rights holders, including the GAA.

“This would be compliant with our proposed policy of commercial co-operation.”