Some of the sports organisations expressed the view that designation could negatively impact on their negotiating power with a qualifying broadcaster. They argued this on the basis that non-qualifying broadcasters are less likely to be interested in purchasing the rights to their events if those events are designated as events of major importance that should continue to be available on free television services. Accordingly, sports events organisers argue that they will, in effect, be forced to deal only with RTE and that designation will weaken their position in future negotiations with RTE. This would in turn reduce the level of funding available for the development of their sports. Several sports organisations, in referring to the provisions of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999, point to the fact that it does not provide for arbitration between an event organiser and a qualifying broadcaster.