Altenar has asked a New Jersey court to block Sportradar from taking their legal battle to private arbitration in Switzerland.
The sports betting supplier filed its Memorandum in Opposition on Tuesday, 25 August, in response Sportradar’s 14 August motion to stay proceedings and compel arbitration.
The dispute traces back to earlier this year, when Altenar accused Sportradar of running a sports data monopoly in violation of section two of the Sherman Act, the federal statute barring monopolisation and anti-competitive conduct.
Altenar has claimed Sportradar’s exclusive data deals with the likes of the MLB and NBA has prevented it from being able to enter the US.
The Memorandum in Opposition of Motion details how Altenar has spent almost $2m to pursue a US entry via “19 expos, 41 company engagements, and 20 demonstrations”.
Altenar has also alleged it has not been able to secure a New Jersey licence without a commercial deal with a sportsbook in place.
In turn, the supplier said it has been unable to close those potential commercial deals without Sportradar data.
The dispute stems from a 2021 Master Partner Agreement (MPA), which has since been scrapped, that allowed Altenar to tap Sportradar for data supply outside of the US.
Altenar claimed Sportradar said it would cover US data supply in a separate agreement which did not transpire.
The MPA included an arbitration clause, which Altenar lawyers said would only apply to the contents of the MPA.
Altenar has filed for arbitration in Switzerland in relation to the MPA but said the US-focused issue should be heard in US courts given the market is not covered by the MPA.
The Memorandum in Opposition of Motion read: “Sportradar should not be allowed to invoke an arbitration clause to shield itself from United States-based claims when it has expressly disclaimed any connection between the underlying agreement and the United States.”
The case continues.
An Altenar spokesperson said: “Sportradar’s global headquarters are in Switzerland; it feels safe there.
“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.”
A Sportradar spokesperson said: “Sportradar does not comment on pending litigation.”
The post Altenar moves to block Sportradar’s bid to take US legal case to arbitration first appeared on EGR Intel.
Sports betting supplier challenges New York-listed rival’s motion to move New Jersey case behind closed doors in Switzerland, arguing the dispute is squarely a US matter
The post Altenar moves to block Sportradar’s bid to take US legal case to arbitration first appeared on EGR Intel.