Farrell says new drink deal not elitist
Gaelic Players Association Chief Executive Dessie Farrell has hit out at claims that the high profile C&C endorsement deal announced this afternoon favours only the elitist players.
In a deal expected to generate up to €2m over a 10- year period, up to 200 GPA members will become involved in helping to advertise the company's new Club Energise sports drink.
However, the initial advertising drive will see 10 top inter-county players including Peter Canavan, Setanta Ó hAilpín and Seamus Moynihan appear on billboard promotions for which they will received €2,250 each.
Farrell said: "I've heard talk that it's an elitist thing but the bigger picture is that money generated through sales of the drink will be invested back into the game. That's certainly not an elitist thing.
"There's also the fact that so many lesser-known players will become involved in different types of promotions further down the line."
C&C will contribute 6% of the net revenue from individual Club Energise sales to the GPA, meaning a potential cash bonanza for the renegade players' group.
C&C spokesman Michael McArdle said: "We believe we have found a model for supporting our national sports with each and every bottle of Club Energise that is purchased."
