Introduction

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) terminated its largest broadcasting rights deal with BN Sports Group on Tuesday, raising the possibility of a legal dispute with the Qatari sports media network.

Legal Dispute with beIN Media Group

In a Tuesday announcement, Yousef Al-Obaidli, CEO of beIN media group, told members of Al-Kafa’s executive committee that he had received a letter from lawyers last Friday “announcing the termination of the contractual relationship unilaterally between BN and Al Kaf with immediate effect.”

Al Obeidli wrote: “I must make it clear to you that beIN does not accept this termination and will take all necessary legal steps to challenge and reverse it.”

Implications for CAF

The termination of a $415 million contract with beIN running through 2028 will leave CAF without a major broadcast contract just four months before the start of the men’s Africa Cup of Nations.

BeIN became CAF’s main broadcast partner after the Confederation terminated a $12 billion 12-year contract with French media group Lagardere in 2019.

The settlement of this issue cost CAF $50 million.

Source

Source: AB