Pay-TV operator Sky is seeking up to 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in damages from Telecom Italia (TIM) and sports streaming platform DAZN, according to TIM's first-quarter earnings documents.
Sky alleges it suffered losses due to a breach of antitrust rules linked to a 2021 deal between TIM and DAZN to distribute Serie A soccer matches. The lawsuit was lodged in a Milan court in recent weeks after Italy's antitrust authority ruled in 2023 that the agreement restricted competition.
In 2021, DAZN secured the rights to broadcast all Serie A matches for three seasons for 2.5 billion euros, then partnered with TIM for distribution. Sky argues the deal was designed to exclude it from the market.
Sky is seeking 1.1 billion euros for lost profits, with the total potentially reaching 1.9 billion euros when including interest and brand devaluation damages. TIM expects key hearings in the last quarter of the year.
The Italian antitrust regulator had previously fined TIM and DAZN a combined 8 million euros, later reduced after appeals.