DAZN wins legal dispute: Bundesliga rights must be re-tendered!

Berlin - A verdict has been reached in the dispute between DFL and DAZN over Bundesliga TV rights. The media company is initially the winner - but has not yet received the controversial package.

The auction for the largest TV rights package in the Bundesliga must be repeated. With this ruling by the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS), the fee-based internet broadcaster DAZN has won a legal victory in its dispute with the German Football League.

However, DAZN must now enter into a new poker game with Sky for the rights. The dispute was sparked by the allocation of the largest package with the matches on Saturday at 3.30 pm and on Friday evening as well as the relegation matches.

"DAZN is delighted that the court has ruled in our favor," said a spokesperson for the global company. "We remain convinced that DAZN is the best partner for the DFL, for the clubs and for German soccer fans."

The company had involved the DIS in the dispute with the DFL. After fierce attacks and mutual accusations, the aim was to bring about a legal clarification in the dispute over Bundesliga TV rights - this has now been achieved with the seemingly Solomonic solution.

The auction for the other rights has been suspended since mid-April and is now set to start again shortly.

The arbitration award has the effect of a final judgment between the parties. DIS decisions can only be contested before ordinary courts on the grounds of formal violations.

The DFL had previously stated that it expected "all parties involved to accept an arbitration award as final and conclusive" in the interests of swift litigation and legal certainty. This now appears to be the case.

"We take note of the arbitration tribunal's decision," Sky announced. "We are very well positioned for the media rights award and are confident that we can continue to offer our viewers the best Bundesliga experience and remain the leading sports provider." Sky had secured the rights in the first attempt, but must now re-enter the bidding process.

DAZN and DFL were in dispute over the first day of the auction and a bank guarantee. The dispute broke out after the DFL awarded the TV rights package B for the 2025/26 to 2028/29 seasons to pay-TV provider Sky, according to dpa information.

Competitor DAZN claimed that the DFL had rejected its significantly better offer because a bank guarantee requested at short notice could not be obtained within one day.

According to the DFL, the disputed package was awarded legally. According to the league association, DAZN's offers were not in line with the tender.

The controversial rights package B comprises a total of 196 live matches per season. The other live matches are included in the pay-TV packages C with the top matches on Saturday at 6.30 pm and the Supercup as well as D with the Sunday matches. Together, that makes 113 live matches.

The complaint to the court of arbitration is a step that is provided for in the DFL's tender documents for a dispute and was accepted by all bidders.

When DAZN registered for the auction of the audiovisual media rights of the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, it also undertook to turn to the DIS in the event of legal disputes.