Setback for the DFL
DAZN wins legal battle over Bundesliga rights
24.09.2024, 16:02
The streaming provider DAZN has emerged as the winner from the arbitration proceedings with the German Football League (DFL). The published arbitration award stipulates that the DFL must re-conduct the controversial partial auction of rights package B.
The streaming provider DAZN has emerged as the winner from the arbitration proceedings with the German Football League (DFL). The arbitration award stipulates that the DFL must re-conduct the controversial partial auction of rights package B.
In mid-April, the DFL suspended the auction of German-language media rights for the four seasons from 2025/26 to 2028/29 due to the dispute with DAZN, which, like Sky, still holds the live rights until the end of the current season. Specifically, this concerns rights package B, which includes the Saturday games at 3:30 p.m. as well as the individual games on Friday evening and the relegation (a total of 196 games per season).
The streaming provider DAZN feels discriminated against because its offer was rejected, even though it was “the most financially attractive and convincing”. The bid is said to have amounted to 400 million euros per season – i.e. 1.6 billion euros in total. However, the DFL did not accept the financial guarantees given by DAZN. Therefore, the corresponding package is said to have already gone to Sky despite a lower offer. DAZN then called in the arbitration court.
DAZN threatened to withdraw
The international media company has been active in Germany since 2016 and shows live matches from the Bundesliga and the Champions League, among others. Germany boss Alice Mascia recently repeated the threats in the dispute with the DFL in an interview with “Capital”. In April, DAZN had already threatened further legal action and a complete withdrawal from the Bundesliga.
“We are not ruling anything out,” said Mascia. The dispute is essentially “about European competition law. Civil courts also have jurisdiction for this.” “A total withdrawal from the Bundesliga” is also an option. “We are a global company, for us there is more than just the Bundesliga.”
DAZN said it was “pleased that the court has decided in our favor. We remain convinced that DAZN is the best partner for the DFL, for the clubs and for German football fans.” The DFL referred to the justification for the decision announced for November, and details for the continuation of the media rights award will be announced “after further substantive coordination in the DFL executive committee.”