Sky Sports will no longer broadcast live Gaelic Games after ending their their association with the GAA following protracted renewal negotiations.
It is understood that Sky, who first started showing Gaelic Games in 2014, wanted to expand their coverage as part of a new five-year deal.
That proved to be the main sticking point of the negotiations as Sky wanted to show up to 16 League games per season as part of their packages, but a deal could not be reached.
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The GAA have been in talks with various broadcasters around the new media rights deal that runs from 2023 to 2027.
In a statement, Sky Ireland chief executive JD Buckley confirmed that the company had been unable to reach a new deal with the GAA adding that the shortened inter-county season was a factor in their decision to end their agreement.
"Despite our participation in the broadcast rights bidding process, lengthy negotiations and a strong willingness on both sides to continue our partnership, Sky and the GAA have been unable to reach a renewal agreement," said Buckley.
"A factor in this decision has been the new shortened GAA season and its knock-on impact on the number of games Sky Sports wanted to broadcast.
"We came on board as official GAA broadcast partner in 2014 and since then, we have made significant investments in GAA – from grassroots initiatives and youth forums; to marketing initiatives and our sponsorship of the annual GAA Development Conference.
"During that time, our broadcast partnership also brought GAA to new and international audiences, driving growth in support.”
He added: “Over the past eight years, Sky Sports GAA raised the bar by delivering modern, alternative coverage and analysis of the GAA Championships, giving viewers greater choice.
"Our coverage was made possible by exceptionally talented and professional people, both in front of and behind the camera. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their outstanding contributions.
“I would also like to thank Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy, GAA Commercial Director, Peter McKenna, and the wider GAA team for their support throughout our partnership. Both parties are committed to identifying potential future partnership opportunities.”
Sky’s coverage of Gaelic Games has not been without controversy with several motions going to Congress attempting to compel the GAA to make all games free to air.
Sky Sports often had their pick of the All-Ireland Qualifier games as well as Saturday Championship matches while they also provided coverage of the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals in football and hurling alongside RTÉ.
The likes of Peter Canavan, Jim McGuinness and Kieran Donaghy have been among their regular pundits for their live football broadcasts.
Northern GAA fans will be hoping Sky’s exit paves the way for the BBC to show more live GAA games.
During the previous deal, BBC only had rights to show Ulster SFC games and couldn’t broadcast any games from the All-Ireland series.
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