CADE recommends conviction of international sports media rights cartel

On 22 July, the Office of the Superintendent General at CADE (SG) recommended the conviction of six companies and 18 individuals for participating in an international cartel in the market for the acquisition of sports media rights, other rights associated with sporting events, and in the provision of related consultancy or advisory services, with effects in Brazil.

The rights covered by the cartel are licensed through private tenders to media agencies or directly to broadcasters and include, for example, the right to distribute live streams of sporting events.

According to the SG, the group coordinated its actions to fix prices, allocate rights by territory, and exchange competitively sensitive information, thereby harming competition.

The conduct took place between 2008 and 2017 and involved rights relating to the qualification matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Spanish La Liga (2015-2018 seasons), Coppa Italia (2008-2015 seasons), Italian Supercoppa (2008-2015 seasons), Liverpool FC TV (2010-2013 seasons), and Manchester United TV (2010-2013 seasons), as well as rights relating to other sports, such as athletics, biathlon, cycling, and tennis.

The case will now proceed to the Tribunal of CADE and a Rapporteur is to issue a final decision. If convicted, the companies may be fined up to 20% of their gross revenue, and individuals are subject to fines of up to 20% of the amount imposed on the company. Access Case No. 08700.002012/2021-26