DAZN Ordered to continue Belgian Pro League Coverage Amid Contract Dispute
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DAZN, the sports streaming service, has been ordered by a Belgian court to continue broadcasting and paying for the Belgian Pro League football league until the end of the current season.The ruling comes as part of an ongoing dispute over the termination of their broadcasting contract. Failure to comply could result in daily fines of up to €50,000 (approximately US$58,630) https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/dazn-belgian-pro-league-court-ruling/.
Background to the Dispute
The conflict arose after DAZN announced it was ending its contract with the Pro League, citing concerns over the league’s compliance with competition law and the commercial viability of the agreement. The Pro League, however, maintains that DAZN unlawfully terminated the contract. This led to legal action, culminating in the recent court order.
Court Ruling Details
The court’s decision mandates that DAZN uphold its contractual obligations, including production, distribution, payments, and negotiations with telecom operators, until the end of the season. Lorin Parys, chief executive of the Pro League, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating it benefits fans, clubs, and Belgian football as a whole https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/dazn-belgian-pro-league-court-ruling/.
DAZN’s Response and Future Arbitration
Despite the court’s order, DAZN remains confident that it legally ended the contract and will be vindicated in future arbitration proceedings. Massimo D’Amario, DAZN Belgium chief executive, clarified that the current ruling is a provisional measure and does not represent a judgment on the merits of their legal position https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/dazn-belgian-pro-league-court-ruling/.
DAZN intends to present its case to the Cepani arbitration panel, arguing the original contract was lawfully terminated and raising concerns about competition law compliance. They also expressed a willingness to negotiate a “balanced agreement” that ensures the long-term stability of the commercial relationship.
Key Takeaways
* Court Order: DAZN must continue broadcasting and paying for the Belgian Pro League until the end of the season.
* financial Penalties: Non-compliance could lead to fines of up to €50,000 per day.
* DAZN’s Position: DAZN believes it lawfully terminated the contract and will fight the ruling in arbitration.
* Arbitration Pending: The Cepani arbitration panel will ultimately decide the legality of the contract termination.
* Competition Law Concerns: DAZN has raised concerns about the Pro League’s compliance with competition law.
Looking Ahead
The future of DAZN’s relationship with the Belgian Pro League hinges on the upcoming arbitration ruling. The outcome will not only determine the financial implications for both parties but also perhaps set a precedent for future sports broadcasting contracts in Belgium and beyond. The arbitration panel’s decision is expected in the coming weeks and will be closely watched by industry stakeholders.