In a landmark legal move that could reshape the financial landscape of Italian football broadcasting, Sky has filed a lawsuit seeking nearly €1.9 billion in damages from streaming platform Dazn and telecommunications giant Tim. The case, which will be heard by the Tribunal of Milan, stems from a long-running antitrust investigation into a restrictive agreement that allegedly distorted competition for the lucrative Serie A television rights.
The legal battle traces its origins back to 2021, when Sky, Dazn, and Tim entered into a memorandum of understanding ahead of the tender process organized by the Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A for the assignment of top-flight Italian football broadcasting rights. This agreement later came under intense scrutiny from Italy's competition authority, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), commonly known as the Antitrust.
In January 2026, the Antitrust delivered a definitive ruling, confirming the existence of a "grave intesa restrittiva della concorrenza"—a serious restrictive agreement that harmed competition in the telecom and pay-TV markets. The authority determined that this anti-competitive conduct lasted for a period of one year and seven months. This final confirmation of wrongdoing paved the way for Sky's current claim for substantial financial compensation.
The path to this point has been marked by a complex series of legal appeals and recalculations. The initial antitrust proceedings concluded in 2023, but the decisions were subsequently challenged. Dazn and Tim pursued appeals first to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) in 2024 and then to the Council of State in 2025. The Council of State's ruling was nuanced; while it upheld the core finding of a restrictive agreement, it ordered the Antitrust to reconsider the duration of the infraction and the calculation of fines.
Following this judicial guidance, the Antitrust recalculated the sanctions in early 2026. For Dazn, the fine was significantly reduced from over €7.2 million to approximately €3.67 million. Tim's penalty was confirmed at around €760,776. The Council of State also made an important distinction, accepting Dazn's argument that its parent entity, Dazn Media, should not be held liable for the actions of its subsidiary, thereby excluding it from the illicit conduct.
Despite these adjustments to the fines, the core legal finding—that a restrictive agreement existed—remains intact. It is this finding that forms the foundation of Sky's civil lawsuit for damages. The broadcaster argues that the anti-competitive pact between its rivals caused it significant financial harm, likely by influencing the outcome or terms of the critical 2021 Serie A rights tender, which Dazn ultimately won.
The implications of this case extend far beyond the courtroom. A ruling in Sky's favor for the full €1.9 billion would represent one of the largest antitrust damages awards in European sports media history. Such a sum could have profound financial consequences for both Dazn, which holds the exclusive rights to broadcast Serie A until 2029, and Tim, a major player in Italy's telecom infrastructure.
For Serie A itself, the lawsuit introduces a layer of financial uncertainty around its most valuable media asset. The stability and value of the league's broadcasting partnerships are crucial for the financial health of its 20 member clubs, which rely heavily on TV revenue distributions. The outcome of the Milan Tribunal's proceedings will be closely watched by all stakeholders in Italian football, as it could influence future tender processes and the competitive dynamics of the sports broadcasting market.
The case underscores the high-stakes intersection of sport, media, and competition law. It highlights how agreements made in the boardroom can lead to years of litigation and potentially billions in liabilities. As the legal process moves forward, the football world awaits a decision that could set a significant precedent for how broadcasting rights are negotiated and awarded in one of Europe's top leagues.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.com - Calcio.