Channel 7 is taking Cricket Australia to the Federal court to end its six-year, $450 million TV rights deal of broadcasting the Test Cricket and the Big Bash League.
In court proceedings, the network is accusing the sporting body of “multiple quality and standard breaches” around the multimillion-dollar agreement – mainly of the BBL.
Channel 7 signed the deal in 2018 after signing the free-to-air broadcast rights from Channel 9 after four decades at the rival network. The network currently shares the broadcast rights with Foxtel and Kayo who paid $670 million.
In a statement, the network said: “Seven West Media Limited through its subsidiary Seven Network Limited has filed court proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Cricket Australia in relation to multiple quality and standard breaches by CA of Seven’s Media Rights Agreement with CA.
“The SWM (Seven West Media) proceedings will seek both: A court declaration that Seven is entitled to terminate the MRA (media rights agreement) on the basis of material contract breaches by CA which were not remedied.
“And damages arising out of past breaches.”
“Seven previously obtained preliminary discovery proceedings in the Federal Court relating to the claims.”
“Seven’s intention is to terminate the MRA, conditional on the Federal Court granting a declaration that Seven is entitled to do so.”
“Seven has the right to waive this condition. The damages action is not conditional.”
“Seven will continue to perform its obligations under the MRA (in terms of telecasting Tests and BBL etc.) until terminated.”
“Seven has pursued the informal dispute resolution procedure under the MRA but the procedure failed to resolve the dispute”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia released their own response to the Federal Court proceedings by Seven. The statement read: “Cricket Australia (CA) is extremely disappointed that our broadcast partner, the Seven Network, has commenced legal proceedings against CA in relation to recent COVID-impacted cricket seasons.
“CA delivered two very successful cricket seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22, including every WBBL and BBL game (a total of 240 games over two seasons) and highly acclaimed international schedules, despite the enormous challenges presented by the global pandemic.
“In the circumstances, CA is astonished that Seven has brought this unwarranted action which will be strenuously defended.
“CA remains enormously proud of the efforts of the Australian Cricket family including players, match officials, sponsors, stadium operators, host governments, staff and volunteers whose hard work, dedication and expertise allowed us to deliver two exceptional cricket seasons in unprecedented circumstances.
“We look forward to another hugely entertaining summer, including hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as defending champions, welcoming a record six international touring teams to Australia, as well as the eighth and twelfth editions of WBBL and BBL respectively.”
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