TV rights, Serie A asks 3 billion in compensation from three media agencies – Football

MILANO — Clubs that have played in A league between 2008 and 2018 they are asking for billions of euros in damages from three media agencies, for alleged lost revenue from the sale of international broadcast rights during that time. The lawsuit filed by the companies follows a 2019 antitrust ruling that Media agencies IMG, MP & Silva and Be4 they would have agreed to present the offers for the rights, forming a cartel and effectively limiting competition. The news was reported by the agency Reuters.

The damage estimate

The antitrust decision has pushed more than twenty clubs that were playing in Serie A at the time – including Milan, Inter, Torino, Fiorentina, as well as the club itself Serie A League as an association – to sue the agencies in a Milan court. Serie A estimates the lost revenue due to the cartel agreement between the media agencies at €1.8 billion. But the estimate could be even higher. Francis Anglanipartner of the law firm BonelliErede which represents some of the teams – including Torino, Fiorentina and Roma – reported to Reuters that the individual clubs’ claims for damages would have exceeded 3 billion euros in total.

The prosecution and the defense

Anglani said it was “the first time an antitrust action for damages has been brought in Italy for such significant amounts”. Media agencies denied any responsibility and wrongdoing, arguing that the proceeds from sales were in line with market prices. Broadcasting rights are the main source of revenue for Italian clubs, but are now less profitable than the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga. The only media agency under fire to issue a statement was IMG, which told Reuters through a spokeswoman: “We have strong objections to the allegations made against us and will defend ourselves vigorously.” Serie A declined to comment. Court-appointed experts should be able to assess the amount of any damages by April 2025. Judges will then decide on that basis. Serie A has sought an out-of-court settlement, but negotiations have so far been unsuccessful.