Jordan-backed Sportradar accused of hiding from justice in monopoly row with rival
Michael Jordan-backed betting data giant Sportradar has been accused of trying to “shield itself from US justice and public scrutiny” in a multi-million-dollar legal row with competitor Altenar.
Lawyers for Altenar told a US federal court that Sportradar’s request to move the dispute to private arbitration in Switzerland, where its head office is located, should be denied.
“Sportradar’s global headquarters are in Switzerland; it feels safe there,” said a spokesperson for Altenar. “Its motion to send this case to confidential Swiss arbitration is a transparent attempt to shield itself from US justice and public scrutiny. Altenar looks forward to its day in court.”
Nasdaq-listed Sportradar has a market cap of around $4bn and exclusive deals with Fifa, UFC and major US sports leagues the NBA, MLB and NHL.
Its biggest shareholder is the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board but other significant investors include NBA legend Jordan, whose role is understood to be passive and long-term. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either.
What is the Altenar v Sportradar dispute about?
Altenar has a contract granting it access to Sportradar data, which it uses to provide betting technology platforms to bookmakers, in all markets apart from the US.
It says that Sportradar abused its dominant position by refusing access to its US data and then launching rival products to those sold by Altenar.
It argues that while the contract between the parties for the rest of the world contains provision for disputes to be held in private, no such agreement relates to the US.
“Sportradar is entitled to arbitrate the disputes it actually agreed to arbitrate – disputes concerning the foreign supply relationship governed by the MPA,” lawyers for Altenar said in a court filing.
“It is not entitled to use the MPA as a shield against the Sherman Act in the very market the agreement carved out. The motion to compel arbitration and to stay should be denied in its entirety.”
A spokesperson for Sportradar said the company does not comment on pending litigation.