Cricket Australia says it will "strenuously defend" itself after the Seven Network launched fresh court action against it in a bid to rip up its $450 million TV rights deal.
In another dramatic escalation in tension between the parties, Seven is going to the Federal Court claiming "multiple quality and standard breaches by CA" in the six-year rights deal.
"Seven's intention is to terminate the MRA (Media Rights Agreement), conditional on the Federal Court granting a declaration that Seven is entitled to do so," a Seven statement seen by news agency AAP read.
"Seven has the right to waive this condition.
"The damages action is not conditional.
"Seven will continue to perform its obligations under the MRA (in terms of telecasting Tests and BBL etc.) until terminated.
"Seven has pursued the informal dispute resolution procedure under the MRA but the procedure failed to resolve the dispute."
The Seven Network has again launched court action against Cricket Australia in a bid to rip up its $450 million TV rights deal. Source: AAP / Andrew Henshaw
The network is understood to still be happy with its broadcasts of Test cricket but is unhappy with the drastic slipping of standards of the BBL.
CA has desperately tried to revitalise the BBL in a bid to take the Twenty20 competition back to its glory days.
The ownership structure of clubs remains a significant issue in the BBL, with both Cricket NSW and Queensland vocal in backing the private ownership move this week.
CA has responded by claiming its last two seasons have been successful despite "the enormous challenges presented by the global pandemic".
"In the circumstances, CA is astonished that Seven has brought this unwarranted action which will be strenuously defended," a CA statement read.
CA remains enormously proud of the efforts of the Australian Cricket family including players, match officials, sponsors, stadium operators, host governments, staff and volunteers whose hard work, dedication and expertise allowed us to deliver two exceptional cricket seasons in unprecedented circumstances."
Federal Court paperwork was first lodged by Seven against CA in 2020, with the parties regularly trading public barbs.
Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton once declared CA was "the most incompetent administration" he has ever worked with.
AAP understands the court proceedings will start early next year, well after the busy summer of cricket begins.
