OFT Takes BSkyB And Premier League To Restrictive Practices Court

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is in the process of taking satellite broadcaster BSkyB and football’s Premier League to court over a broadcasting rights deal struck five years ago.

The £670 million deal between the League and BSkyB, which gave Sky the rights to broadcast live games in England between 1993 and 1996, was completed without the OFT’s consent. As a result the OFT is taking the case to the restrictive practices court and is confident it will win the case.

If Sky were to lose the case, it is possible that such a deal may be prevented from being completed a second time. However, due to the ‘sluggish’ nature of competition law in the UK, the case will not be heard until January 1999.

There has been speculation that a number of senior TV executives will be summonsed to the court by the OFT to give evidence regarding similar deals struck between the Premier League and broadcasters. The Guardian this morning described such deals as “tantamount to a cartel in football rights.”

The OFT refused to comment on any the names of any individuals who might be called to the court as part of the inquiry.

Office Of Fair Trading: 211 8000