Madrid, Barcelona among those fined over TV rights

Madrid, Barcelona among those fined over TV rights

Published Dec. 2, 2013 4:45 p.m. ET

The Spanish competition commission has fined Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Racing Santander and a major broadcaster $20 million for a ''serious'' violation of television rights sales.

The hefty penalties were given to Mediapro and the four clubs for agreeing to four-year contracts on TV rights when only three years is allowed.

Mediapro must pay $8.8 million, while Real Madrid was fined $5.3 million, Barcelona $4.9 million, Sevilla $1.2 million and Santander $40,000.

Mediapro, which shares the rights to Spanish league matches with Canal Plus, says it will appeal the ruling.

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In Spain, individual clubs reach TV rights deals with broadcasters instead of using collective bargaining.

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