Sports Leagues Do Not Have Market Power? Murdoch's Super League Setback in an Australian Court

摘要

Rupert Murdoch's relentless acquisition of sporting rights received a set-back in late February when the Federal Court blocked, at least temporarily, his attempt to establish a rival rugby league in Australia. The Federal Court (News Limited v Australian Rugby Football League Limited and Others) held that agreements between the Australian Rugby League and its members were not anti-competitive, and actions inducing breach of these agreements would attract damages. This decision and its commercial implications are of particular importance given the recent reference of the UK Premier League to the Restrictive Trade Practices Court and the Bundeskartellamt's investigation of the German Bundesliga.