Mumbai: The Delhi High Court has referred the commercial dispute between JioStar India Private Limited and Absolute Legends Sports Private Limited over media and commercial rights for the Legends League Cricket Masters T20 tournament to arbitration, while also directing that key tournament revenues remain protected pending adjudication.
The dispute pertains to agreements executed in September 2024 concerning media rights and airtime sales for the cricket tournament. In its petition before the Court, JioStar sought protection of its contractual and commercial interests in the league, raising concerns over the transfer, assignment and exploitation of media and broadcast rights linked to the tournament.
Taking note of the consent of both parties to resolve the matter through arbitration, the Court appointed a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute and directed that the arbitral proceedings commence without delay.
As part of the interim measures, the Court recorded undertakings from the respondents stating that amounts collected through franchise fees and ticket revenues would not be alienated, transferred, encumbered or otherwise dealt with until further directions are issued by the Arbitrator.
The Court further directed that revenues already received from franchise fees and ticket collections would remain protected and subject to the final outcome of the arbitral proceedings.
While referring the matter to arbitration, the Court clarified that all rights and contentions of the parties remain open. It also noted that observations made in the order should not be treated as findings on the merits of the dispute.
