TV rights dispute: DAZN wins legal victory against DFL

TV rights dispute DAZN wins legal victory against DFL

TV-rights-dispute-DAZN-wins-legal-victory-against-DFL

From the 2025/26 Bundesliga season

TV rights dispute: DAZN wins legal victory against DFL

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The pay internet channel « DAZN » has won a legal victory in the dispute with the German (Site notre blog d’information) League over television rights. The auction for a major media package with live Bundesliga matches from the 2025/26 season is to be repeated following a decision by the German arbitration institution, as announced by the DFL. « DAZN » must now participate in another poker game to secure the rights from « Sky ».

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« The reasons for the decision will be announced to the parties in November. In this context, the DFL is currently refraining from any further comments on the content, » it said in a statement.

Rights package B includes the right to broadcast all Bundesliga matches on Friday evening (8:30 p.m.) and Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.) as well as the two relegation matches between 16th place in the Bundesliga and third place in the 2nd Bundesliga.

“DAZN is pleased that the court has ruled in our favor,” a spokesperson for the global company said. “We remain convinced that DAZN is the best partner for the DFL, for the clubs and for German (Site notre bureau spécialisé) fans.”

The company involved the German Arbitration Institution (DIS) in the dispute with the DFL. After violent attacks and mutual accusations, the aim was to achieve a legal clarification of the dispute over the Bundesliga television rights. This goal was achieved with a solution that appears Solomonic. The auction of the other rights has been interrupted since mid-April and is expected to resume shortly.

Sky reacts to decision – dispute over 196 matches

The arbitral award has the effect of a final judgment between the parties. Decisions of the DIS can only be appealed before the ordinary courts due to formal violations. The DFL had previously stated that, in the interest of speedy proceedings and legal certainty, it expected that « all parties involved would accept an arbitral award as final and conclusive ». This appears to be the case at present.

« We take note of the decision of the arbitration tribunal, » Sky said. « We are very well placed for the award of the media rights and are confident that we can continue to offer our viewers the best Bundesliga experience and remain the leading sports provider. « Sky » won the rights the first time, but now needs to do so. » start betting again.

« DAZN » and DFL have been arguing over a bank guarantee on the first day of the auction. The dispute arose after the DFL awarded the TV rights package B for the 2025/26 to 2028/29 seasons to pay-TV provider « Sky », according to dpa information. Competitor « DAZN » claimed that the DFL had rejected its significantly better offer because a bank guarantee requested at short notice could not be obtained within one day.

According to its own information, the DFL legally granted the disputed amount. The league association explained that the offers from « DAZN » were not in line with the tender. The controversial rights package B includes a total of 196 live games per season.