Covid-19/Lega Serie A: court decision in early January 2021 concerning Sky Italia's non-payment

The Milan commercial court has studied the dispute between the Lega Serie A and its broadcaster Sky Italia concerning the payment of broadcasting rights for the end of the 2019-20 Serie A TIM season, and will deliver its decision "in early January 2021," according to Italian media on 22/12/2020.

Sky Italia has not paid the sixth and final instalment (€130m) of its broadcasting contract for the 2019-20 season, originally scheduled for 01/05/2020. Sky Italia is refusing to pay it without a discount of between 15% and 18%, according to Italian media, due to the fact that the championship was suspended for three months and resumed behind closed doors.

The Milan court ordered Sky Italia to settle the last payment of the contract on 06/07/2020. The broadcaster had 40 days from that date to pay or contest the decision. The Italian League had set a deadline of 12/07/2020 for Sky to comply, at time its license would be revoked. The 20 Serie A TIM clubs then unanimously decided not to suspend the implementation of the contract for the licensing of the audiovisual rights to the Italian…