Alleged anti-competitive agreement in the market for football TV rights

Lear assisted a major Italian broadcaster involved in an investigation by the Italian Competition Authority into an alleged anti-competitive agreement in the market for football TV rights. This case involved an analysis of both the TV rights acquisition market (wholesale level) and the pay TV market (retail level). Using a counterfactual approach, Lear worked alongside the company’s legal advisors to analytically demonstrate the pro-competitive effects brought by the agreement in the acquisition market and the pay TV market respectively. The Administrative Tribunal of Lazio overturned the Italian Competition Authority decision and annulled fines to Lear’s client.