EU: Fox UK offices raided in sports rights probe

A 21st Century Fox office in the UK received a surprise inspection Tuesday, April 10, by European Commission investigators, who are conducting an antitrust probe into sports rights and distribution of sports content.

The EC acknowledged “unannounced inspections” on Tuesday in several member countries at the offices of companies “active in the distribution of media rights and related rights pertaining to various sports events and/or their broadcasting.”

“The Commission has concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices,” the agency said. “The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.”

The Commission stressed that the inquiry into these concerns “does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behavior.”

Fox Networks Group, which includes 21st Century Fox’s television, cable and sports media businesses, said in a statement that it is “cooperating fully” with the investigation.

Full Content: Washington Post

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