Cricket Australia has responded in surprise to the news Channel Seven is commencing legal proceedings regarding the $450 million broadcast rights deal with CA.
Channel Seven has filed proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia seeking to terminate the deal with Cricket Australia that sees it broadcast Test Cricket and the Big Bash League.
It’s understood Channel Seven are alleging repeated breaches of its six-year deal in relation to quality and standards, particularly centring around the BBL.
“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,” said a Seven statement.
“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.”
Cricket Australia then released a statement expressing its shock at the “astonishing” decision from Channel 7.
“Cricket Australia (CA) is aware of reports that our broadcast partner, the Seven Network, has commenced legal proceedings against CA in relation to recent COVID-impacted cricket seasons,” the statement began.
“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.”
Channel 7 and Fox Sports currently share the rights for national cricket in Australia, with their deal running for a further two summers.
The court case is likely to start early next year, meaning the 2022/23 summer of cricket could be unaffected.
CA has moved to reinvigorate the BBL after multiple COVID-interrupted seasons, introducing an overseas player draft to attract the best international talent to the competition.