The General Superintendence of Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense, known as SG/Cade, has formally recommended the conviction of six corporations and 18 individuals for participating in an international cartel operating within the sports media rights sector. The investigation targeted anti-competitive conduct in the acquisition of rights for major sporting events, as well as the provision of related advisory and consulting services that generated market effects in Brazil.
According to SG/Cade, the involved parties acted in a coordinated scheme to fix prices, divide distribution rights by geographic territory, and exchange commercially sensitive information. The media rights subject to the cartel are typically licensed through private tenders to agencies or directly to broadcasting companies, covering distribution channels such as digital live streaming.
The illicit practices occurred over nearly a decade, stretching from at least 2008 to 2017, and impacted several high-profile sports properties worldwide. Among the affected rights were qualifying matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Spain’s La Liga seasons from 2015 to 2018, Italy’s Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana tournaments from 2008 to 2015, and official club television packages including Liverpool FC TV and Manchester United TV between 2010 and 2013. The collusive behavior extended beyond football to encompass media rights for athletics, biathlon, cycling, and tennis.
The administrative proceeding now moves to the CADE Tribunal for final review and decision, where a reporting counselor will be appointed to lead the case. If convicted by the tribunal, the involved companies face fines of up to 20 percent of their total revenue, while liable individuals could be fined up to 20 percent of the penalty imposed on their corresponding company.