HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

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Keeping The Gaa Amateur And Sensible Commitment Levels

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At last there are some posters on here being honest and not in denial about the monies already getting dished out in our games. There is big money going around in unfair distribution and making the playing field totally slanted towards some and away from others. This is why I advocate for a proper compensation structure or semi pro. Not the way we see in other sports and not at the demise of the amateur game. It can be done. Maximize the number of hours that can be worked at the sport (inter county) by ALL to 20 or 25 hours. The payment the same in Leitrim as in Dublin or Waterford or Sligo. These payments taxed the same as any other job. 20/25 hours pay would allow students to continue their studies without part time work. The others can combine the job with other work that be pursued after their short career playing. We here so much about the sport could not sustain paying. The same people choose to ignore what is going on at present. I know of one junior club, a junior club believe it offering a site to a manager and sure maybe we could get the house built locally for you also. This needs to stop while players are walking away with nothing only injuries for the rest of their lives. All benefits from the game needs to be recorded as income and taxed accordingly. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 23/12/2019 21:06:23 2256037 Link
Replying To Canuck: "At last there are some posters on here being honest and not in denial about the monies already getting dished out in our games. There is big money going around in unfair distribution and making the playing field totally slanted towards some and away from others. This is why I advocate for a proper compensation structure or semi pro. Not the way we see in other sports and not at the demise of the amateur game. It can be done. Maximize the number of hours that can be worked at the sport (inter county) by ALL to 20 or 25 hours. The payment the same in Leitrim as in Dublin or Waterford or Sligo. These payments taxed the same as any other job. 20/25 hours pay would allow students to continue their studies without part time work. The others can combine the job with other work that be pursued after their short career playing. We here so much about the sport could not sustain paying. The same people choose to ignore what is going on at present. I know of one junior club, a junior club believe it offering a site to a manager and sure maybe we could get the house built locally for you also. This needs to stop while players are walking away with nothing only injuries for the rest of their lives. All benefits from the game needs to be recorded as income and taxed accordingly." Some really excellent and thought provoking posts Canuck, I'd be very much on board with your thinking. GAA is like Irish Water with finances undetected leaks and waste everywhere. The black economy in the GAA is huge, its growing nationally and internationally with lads now leaving their clubs and county's for pay per play in the States. Its depleting and undermining the game. I never understand why there is so much resistance against going pro or semi pro, the GAA is a 70 mill annual business, that running at about half its potential in terms of entertainment and structure potential and knock on commercial potential, it's the most popular domestic sport in the country. It's a matter of time, before they players realize their value and look for their just share, they provide the entertainment to turnover 70 mill a year. Now if your talent collectively had the potential to make 70 mill a year, yet you weren't getting a penny for it, what is the logical thing to do? That's before you look at the black economy. I think going pro or more likely semi as you suggest would change the structure also, maybe weekly or by-weekly games for much of the year, while also altering competitions. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 23/12/2019 22:07:12 2256046 Link
The most that I can see happening is a move towards the cricket/rugby model - an amateur club game and a semi-professional intercounty game. Even that will be hard pill to swallow. The intercounty game would need a cap on payments and strict residency rules. Let's say that you can play for home county or county of residence for at least two years. Hawkeye9212 (Donegal) - Posts: 266 - 23/12/2019 23:24:24 2256051 Link
I don't see that the models in place to grow naturally from. You have the AFL and they are running 18 full time teams on average salaries of au$300k off of revenues of about $700m, playing a 22 game season each and getting in 35k attending each regular season game. I don't see how there's even a pathway for the GAA to grow to that level. In 2018 there were only about 12k people going to a game on average, including the final. If you start adding further and less high stakes games that average figure will just decrease further. I don't see how we grow to be professional without abandoning the inter county game but then I also don't see where the interest is going to come from. Aussie rules grew out of an existing club game and could grow fanbases out of that. I don't see where the GAA grows the interest out of and it very hard to just artificially create interest out of nowhere. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4225 - 24/12/2019 15:36:04 2256087 Link
Replying To Whammo86: "I don't see that the models in place to grow naturally from. You have the AFL and they are running 18 full time teams on average salaries of au$300k off of revenues of about $700m, playing a 22 game season each and getting in 35k attending each regular season game. I don't see how there's even a pathway for the GAA to grow to that level. In 2018 there were only about 12k people going to a game on average, including the final. If you start adding further and less high stakes games that average figure will just decrease further. I don't see how we grow to be professional without abandoning the inter county game but then I also don't see where the interest is going to come from. Aussie rules grew out of an existing club game and could grow fanbases out of that. I don't see where the GAA grows the interest out of and it very hard to just artificially create interest out of nowhere." Yeah. A lot of Aussie Rules teams are in densely populated urban areas. Both Belfast and Dublin would need at least 3 or 4 teams. You could fit 2 into Cork. One each for Galway, Cork, Derry, Limerick, and Waterford. Some counties like Kerry and Donegal could field a team on their own. None of this will ever happen. The club and county game is too hard wired into the GAA. Hawkeye9212 (Donegal) - Posts: 266 - 24/12/2019 19:18:22 2256102 Link
Professionalism will arise from external developments. Business interests could set up a rival "rogue" league of 10-12 teams and poach the elite players away from the GAA for a pay cheque. They will be extradited by the GAA, with little effect. This is a similar path to the creation of "rugby league". Pay levels will be limited given the narrow scope/ competition for TV package/ viewing rights. omahant (USA) - Posts: 2590 - 24/12/2019 19:20:39 2256103 Link
Replying To Whammo86: "I don't see that the models in place to grow naturally from. You have the AFL and they are running 18 full time teams on average salaries of au$300k off of revenues of about $700m, playing a 22 game season each and getting in 35k attending each regular season game. I don't see how there's even a pathway for the GAA to grow to that level. In 2018 there were only about 12k people going to a game on average, including the final. If you start adding further and less high stakes games that average figure will just decrease further. I don't see how we grow to be professional without abandoning the inter county game but then I also don't see where the interest is going to come from. Aussie rules grew out of an existing club game and could grow fanbases out of that. I don't see where the GAA grows the interest out of and it very hard to just artificially create interest out of nowhere." For sure it will take some innovative thinking to preserve what is and prepare for the future. A mentor and boss once said to me if you do what you did yesterday you are doomed to fail. If you just do what you are doing today, you will also fail. If you do what you need to do for tomorrow, you will prosper and grow. The GAA community and county allegiance is a major asset. An organization that may not be perfect but effective and organizational skills to be admired. However for nearly 150 years has not done a good job of closing the gap between the elites and the weaker counties. Second tiers and lesser competition has done nothing and will do nothing to change that. Once it was better players and club competitions. Now it is money and resources as well. Again the professionalism is already there but under the table funding is ignored when what is needed is to move on to a payment system fair to all. Getting the counties who are strongest in one code to concentrate on that with coach support. There are the few counties who are competitive at both but many who should not be playing premier competition. The real danger to the amateur game is allowing the adhoc professionalism that we are seeing. Small community clubs will disappear (and are) like the rural pubs. Stadiums like Croke Park , Cork and Thurles are not the way to go. Fill 12K domed stadiums that weather effects can be negated is the way to go. The trick is getting a different 12K in twice a week by having competition structure that has meaningful games and contention for play-off spots running deep season. Two much playing for players ? No because the 7 day week training now is probable causing the burn out and injuries. Ask the player what they would prefer. The revenue from on air advertising is only scratching the surface. Steal ideas from others how to raise on air revenue. Baseball a great example. They would survive if no one came out to a game. Population will not support making multi millionaires out of players but can support modest income. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 24/12/2019 19:40:04 2256106 Link
Lads lads and lads again and I have been saying this for a while now. The game is professioel in Dublin for the past 5 years hence there flawed 5 in a row. Would you all please wake up to the fact traleegerry (Kerry) - Posts: 738 - 24/12/2019 21:14:21 2256112 Link
Replying To traleegerry: "Lads lads and lads again and I have been saying this for a while now. The game is professioel in Dublin for the past 5 years hence there flawed 5 in a row. Would you all please wake up to the fact" Lad lad lad as we keep telling you please stop ruining every thread with your crap Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 25/12/2019 11:12:49 2256124 Link
Replying To traleegerry: "Lads lads and lads again and I have been saying this for a while now. The game is professioel in Dublin for the past 5 years hence there flawed 5 in a row. Would you all please wake up to the fact" Go away with your nonsense and grow up . superbluedub (Dublin) - Posts: 2837 - 25/12/2019 12:30:24 2256126 Link
Replying To omahant: "Professionalism will arise from external developments. Business interests could set up a rival "rogue" league of 10-12 teams and poach the elite players away from the GAA for a pay cheque. They will be extradited by the GAA, with little effect. This is a similar path to the creation of "rugby league". Pay levels will be limited given the narrow scope/ competition for TV package/ viewing rights." Its funny you should say that. I knew an entrepreneur who were well down the road to bringing four professional hockey teams to Ireland. Him and his group of business people believed that they could make it work and be profitable. Un fortunately he passed away before his dream was activated. I believe there is a real danger of a rival organization and they will not care about the club game. Neither will the fans, t.v., all ready well paid managers and players who need to make a living. It can be seen from the support the club scene gets compared to the county teams. The fan will support the highest level of entertainment. Does anyone believe the bull we hear about protecting the amateur status from the GPA, managers who are milking the golden cow and officials who have well paying jobs for life. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 25/12/2019 16:51:24 2256132 Link
Replying To traleegerry: "Lads lads and lads again and I have been saying this for a while now. The game is professioel in Dublin for the past 5 years hence there flawed 5 in a row. Would you all please wake up to the fact" At Christmas it's important to remember the less fortunate. Happy Christmas Kerry. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 25/12/2019 18:13:41 2256136 Link
Happy Xmas to all you lads as well.. But this not going away until justice is seen to be done and that means some body admitting the monies the dubs have paid to win there flawed 5 in a row. traleegerry (Kerry) - Posts: 738 - 25/12/2019 23:43:21 2256142 Link
Replying To traleegerry: "Happy Xmas to all you lads as well.. But this not going away until justice is seen to be done and that means some body admitting the monies the dubs have paid to win there flawed 5 in a row." Happy Chri5tma55 Gerry! Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 26/12/2019 11:25:54 2256146 Link
Replying To omahant: "Professionalism will arise from external developments. Business interests could set up a rival "rogue" league of 10-12 teams and poach the elite players away from the GAA for a pay cheque. They will be extradited by the GAA, with little effect. This is a similar path to the creation of "rugby league". Pay levels will be limited given the narrow scope/ competition for TV package/ viewing rights." Not going to happen. The appeal isn't there for investors. The market is simply too small and the parochial structures won't be broken that easily. The most I can see happening is some kind of semi-pro inter county structure managed centrally by the GAC or something whereby players are offered some kind of annual fixed term contract. Each county is perhaps awarded the same amount to fund a panel of X players with no funding from other sources allowed. It would almost amount to a stipend. Once you open the door to something this though it would be the thin edge of the wedge. Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 26/12/2019 11:43:04 2256147 Link
Replying To traleegerry: "Lads lads and lads again and I have been saying this for a while now. The game is professioel in Dublin for the past 5 years hence there flawed 5 in a row. Would you all please wake up to the fact" Jack McCaffrey must have a body double doing his doctor's work if he's a professional footballer. Somebody else teaching Cluxton's class. Ironically, these are comments from Darran O'Sullivan when he packed in the job for a bit: "Some people are better than others at (combining working and playing). I found it very hard because everything about the GAA now is professional, bar the status. I can't say it's not manageable because some fellas can manage and do it fine, but personally I'm looking at my football career." He had been through a tough year with injuries and wanted to get right. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2041 - 26/12/2019 14:44:01 2256159 Link
Replying To Joxer: "Not going to happen. The appeal isn't there for investors. The market is simply too small and the parochial structures won't be broken that easily. The most I can see happening is some kind of semi-pro inter county structure managed centrally by the GAC or something whereby players are offered some kind of annual fixed term contract. Each county is perhaps awarded the same amount to fund a panel of X players with no funding from other sources allowed. It would almost amount to a stipend. Once you open the door to something this though it would be the thin edge of the wedge." Joxer the thin edge of the wedge is sticking out 2/3 of the other side already but like abuse in the church die hards will deny. It is time to close the door, put the brakes on the selective professionalism that is now practised and come up with an accounted for system that is fair to all. If not the under the table and inequities of monies will destroy our games. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2660 - 26/12/2019 15:53:21 2256161 Link
Replying To Joxer: "Happy Chri5tma55 Gerry!" Happy St. Stephen's (Cluxton) Day, you mean! ;) TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 26/12/2019 15:59:57 2256162 Link
Replying To Joxer: "Happy Chri5tma55 Gerry!" Is the 5 5 to represent the kerry minors and juniors who both won 5 in a row over the last 2 years joxer? KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 26/12/2019 17:16:24 2256167 Link
Replying To DuhallowRed: "I'd support a professional game myself, but can't see how it's gonna work with the current format" You could see the price of tickets double if it ever did come to pass. Johnnyprophet (Galway) - Posts: 39 - 26/12/2019 19:48:59 2256180 Link