The sale of RTÉ’s 50% share of GAAGO to the GAA has yet to be completed.
GAA director of finance Ger Mulryan revealed last week that the deal is not yet done despite the renamed GAA+ streaming service now operating as a sole GAA entity.
“It’s about 99% there, so I’d rather not comment at this point in time,” he said.
It was reported in November that RTÉ had valued their half of the platform at €660,000.
The broke the news in December 2024 that the GAA had approached the national broadcasters about buying them out. Two months later, it was announced that an agreement had been struck and it would be rebranded.
The GAA’s accounts for 2025 revealed the association’s carrying value of GAAGO was € 1,203,233 having been €617,217 at the end of the ’24 accounting year.
Mulryan reported that “it is anticipated that that all GAA+ surpluses will now form part of the Association’s annual results. This will be an increase from the 50% share booked in 2025.”
The accounts reveal the GAA+’s new broadcasting studio on the Hogan Stand side of Croke Park was part of an approximate €10m capital spend in the stadium last year.
The figure also included new LED floodlights, a new LED ribbon board around the three seated stands and an update of the stadium’s wifi and CCTV systems.
GAA+ is currently streaming weekly National Football and Hurling League review shows from the studio, which was previously the Elvery’s store situated across from the Croke Park Hotel.
The GAA are expected to shortly announce their list of championship games to be shown live on GAA+.
The Waterford Cork and Tipperary-Clare Munster SHC games on May 9 and 16 are expected to be broadcasted on the platform.
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) are aiming to make inter-county players “more visible, more supported, and more empowered to connect with supporters, grow the games” by 2028.
As part of their strategic plan to be unveiled on Thursday, they envisage leading footballers and hurlers benefitting from the new name, image, likeness and personality rights agreement they recently struck with the GAA as part of their funding deal.
It is expected the GPA will announce sponsorship of the football and sliotar used in championship matches.
Last month’s Central Council meeting signed off on the move, which will see the official inter-county players body benefit entirely from the sponsorship.
The GPA have also listed as an objective “increased player visibility to reconnect with Gaelic games supporters” as well as encouraging players “to bring their personalities to media and supporter engagement”.
Developing the codes nationally and internationally is a goal too as is deepening government support and strengthening partnerships with the three Gaelic sports associations.
At their AGM last year, the GPA voted overwhelmingly in favour of a structured media policy during the inter-county season “to help players enhance communication skills, build profile, commercial opportunities and build their personal brand”.
