GAA FANS may be facing the added expense of subscription charges to watch some of this season’s All-Ireland championship fixtures on TV.
Sky Sports are believed to be at an advanced state of negotiations with Croke Park to enter the market in a deal that will feature a range of broadcasters, as the GAA looks to expand their international coverage to benefit the Irish abroad and as a means to increase revenue.
GAA president Liam O' Neill declined to comment, however, on the potential inclusion of Sky in the new television deal.
"There's a process going on at the moment and to speak about it would be unfair to those involved. It's tied up in a legal process,” he said.
"The process is nearing completion and we look forward to an announcement as soon as we possibly can.”
The deal is understood to mean that the Sky package would feature up to 10 games, including two All-Ireland quarter-finals, but it is not clear whether Sky's bid is combined with that of another broadcaster.
GAA viewers would face subscription charges if Sky is awarded exclusive rights to a particular television package.
RTE will continue to in its position as the main rights holder, despite several broadcasters showing interest in entering the market.
A deal with Setanta to show Saturday night Allianz League games has already concerned many GAA fans.
But, granting TV rights for championship games to subscription channels would raise greater opposition.
The most recent TV deal is believed to be worth around €10m per annum to the GAA, but experts anticipate this figure to increase significantly if a wider overseas audience is reached.
