the ongoing legal battle between Seven West Media (Seven) and Cricket Australia has continued after an independent arbitrator ruled Cricket Australia must pay a $5.3 million rebate to the free-to-air broadcaster.
The ruling was reportedly not close to Seven’s target of a $65.6 million rebate after Seven previously rejected Cricket Australia’s offer of a 20% discount on annual rights fees for 2020/21.
Despite the ruling, Seven has committed to continue the dispute, with the network saying in a statement it may not accept the ruling citing unfair arbitration.
“Seven West Media has, to date, reserved and continues to reserve all rights concerning the expert not having met fundamental contractual conditions of independence under the media rights agreement,” Seven said in a statement.
The two parties are set to appear in front of Federal Court Justice, Paul Anastassiou this week as part of Seven’s preliminary discovery action to access thousands of Cricket Australia executive emails and documents.
Seven, in its claims the summer schedule of cricket was changed to result in a material impact on the quality of the broadcast product and potential revenues for Seven, are seeking access to the documents before pursuing a Federal Court case to sue Cricket Australia.
The discovery application would see Seven gain access to any communication between Cricket Australia, Australian Federal, state, or territory governments, as well as with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Reported court documents name Cricket Australia executives Nick Hockley, Alistair Dobson, Peter Roach, Stephanie Beltrame, Richard Ostroff, and Christine Harman as executives targeted by the discovery application from Seven.
Cricket Australia lawyers have reportedly recently argues the Federal Court would not have jurisdiction to hear the case, which Anatassiou replied by saying: “I’m reasonably confident I have jurisdiction.”
