Seven West Media seeks to terminate broadcast deal with Cricket Australia
Seven West Media has filed a court declaration to terminate its contract with Cricket Australia claiming contract breaches by the sporting body.
Cricket Australia is astonished and disappointed by Seven West Media legal proceedings to terminate broadcasting deal
The legal action seeks to end Channel Seven's six-year $450 million TV rights deal for Test Cricket and Big Bash League.
Seven is accusing Cricket Australia of “multiple quality and standard breaches” around its deal, which has two summers left.
A statement said, “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.
“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 released a statement stating it was “disappointed” and “astonished” by the legal action.
“Cricket Australia (CA) is extremely disappointed that our broadcast partner, the Seven Network, has commenced legal proceedings against CA in relation to recent COVID-impacted cricket seasons.
“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.”