Business of Sport: We all know the Ryder Cup is about more than golf. Pitting Europe against the USA, putting up with abuse from American fans, the clash of cultures and clash of the wives, are all sideshows to the real event that get some airing.

But another interesting fact is that Michigan's economic development agency is spending $250,000 from corporate contributions to wine and dine top business decision-makers from around the world in the hope of landing new business investment and much-needed jobs for the state. "Nothing's bigger internationally as a drawing card than the Ryder Cup," said Don Jakeway, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "This is a venue that no other state is able to use."

They're also hoping they will be able to get rid of the nickname of the "rust belt" for Michigan in the process.

Real Madrid has announced a revenue budget of €300 million for the current season - up 29 per cent from €232 million last year.

And the majority of that money? Sixty one per cent (€137 million) will be earned from shirt sales alone. David Beckham is still the best-selling Real jersey and puts into some perspective the paltry £20 million that Manchester United let him go for.

The club is also expecting to see a remarkable rise in profit from €8 million up to July 2004 to an expected €50 million in the current financial year. However, they also expect their wage bill to rise 13 per cent to €140 million.

In the world of the GAA - since there's, apparently, no one being paid - how can the association hope to have a say in what the players decide to do?

The withdrawal of services by the Offaly players this week has proven just how impotent the GAA is in influencing and controlling the affairs of intercounty players.

However, if the players were professionals, paid by the association, things would look a whole lot different.

For a start there would be no ambiguity as to the position between employer and employee; no such thing as players deciding to withdraw their services and certainly very little likelihood of a strike.

In a way, the GAA's refusal to deal with the question of professionalism has led them to fudge an already heavily-inked area. As playing standards have risen, so too have expectations

- from players, fans and

officials.

Player-power and the influence of the GPA have been emerging factors in all of this and while an uneasy peace has existed whereby player conditions are getting

marginally better, the reality is their dominance and rise will continue if expectations are not clearly defined.

Nobody truly knows where each stands with the other; how far can one be pushed; where should the line be drawn; and whose interests are ultimately at stake? Simple questions as they may seem, the lack of clear structures and definitions is leading to situations such as those in the Offaly camp arising.

Imagine for a moment if intercounty players were paid employees of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Payment would be based on terms of employment, including training and playing. Further payments could be based on win bonuses, scoring bonuses and even appearances.

A contract is agreed between the player, the GPA and his employer. Signing on the dotted line each party understands their own positions in the matter.

But, most importantly, the agreement is a legally-binding contract that either party is entitled to seek redress from if breaches of contract occur. And no one would be under any illusion that the courts are there to rule for any indiscretions.

Instead, it has been allowed develop to the point whereby the shots are being called from the bottom up. Quiet dissent has grown into outward revolt.

Has player-power gone too far, especially in light of the lack of clear structures and a defining hierarchy? Cup competitions are devised and teams pull out with little or no sanction; managers are removed and the players aren't happy. Would Roy Keane or Gary Neville have much of a say in choosing Alex Ferguson's successor one wonders.

Commercial and contractual concerns are overriding in the professional game - just witness the outrage at the England players' refusal to talk to the media after their World Cup qualifier win against Poland this month, which can never happen again or the FA will be hit with a multi-million pound suit for failing in contractual obligations with Sky Sports.

Since the GAA's players have no paymasters to reign them in, the boundaries of what they can get away with are being pushed out further and further.

Professionalism in sport has its multitude of downsides and while the arguments rage back and forth about whether pay-for-play is sustainable within the GAA, it seems we should be asking whether the GAA can keep a lid on the situation as it exists without some sort of action. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile say the critics and some would say the events of the past week in Offaly have proved that.

But players and their organisations are educated in the ways of the professional sporting world. They will never bite off the hand that feeds them, but if there is no food at the table it is the ruling classes who are preparing the guillotine for themselves.

Egalite, liberte et fraternite.

Or else vive la revolution.

bizofsport@eircom.net

105p - Umbro reports a 51 per cent in profits and increased turnover of 36 per cent.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."

100,000 - The lucky few who have tickets to this weekend's Ryder Cup.