Italian Soccer Clubs Seek Billions in Damages Over Broadcasting Rights Scandal

Top Italian soccer clubs, including AC Milan and Inter Milan, are demanding billions of euros in compensation from three media agencies over alleged lost revenues from international broadcasting rights sales between 2008 and 2018. The legal battle started after a 2019 antitrust ruling against the agencies.

Top Italian soccer clubs are demanding billions of euros in damages from three media agencies for alleged lost revenues from the sale of international broadcasting rights between 2008 and 2018, according to court documents and sources.

The legal dispute comes after a 2019 antitrust ruling found that media agencies IMG, MP & Silva, and Be4 had coordinated bids, limiting competition. This prompted nearly two dozen clubs, including AC Milan and Inter Milan, to sue the agencies in Milan.

The clubs seek around 1.8 billion euros, with individual claims surpassing 3 billion euros. While the agencies deny responsibility, court-appointed experts will assess damages by April 2025, and the court will later rule on the merits of the claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)