• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Real Madrid, Barcelona Challenge La Liga’s Deal with CVC

  • Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Bilbao are challenging La Liga’s media revenue deal with CVC Capital Partners on legal grounds.
  • Those clubs were the only dissenters when the deal was put to a vote in August.
La Liga/Design: Alex Brooks

La Liga’s top clubs were unable to stop a vote approving an investment from CVC Capital, so now they are attacking the agreement itself.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao said they are “challenging” the deal in separate statements, implying that it violates Spanish law

The deal “infringes the applicable rules set out (and in particular, amongst others, the Royal Decree Law 5/2015),” Barcelona wrote, adding, “it was adopted as part of a highly irregular and disrespectful process.” 

The decree, passed in May 2015 with support from Barcelona and Real Madrid, sought to make media rights revenues distributions to Spanish soccer clubs more transparent and equitable. 

  • In August, La Liga’s teams approved a $117.3 million deal in which CVC would purchase a stake in a holding company that would house the league’s media rights.
  • CVC would receive 11% of La Liga’s media revenue for 50 years. It would also provide $2.9 billion to league clubs as an interest-free loan.
  • The deal was approved with only the three challenging clubs opposed after CVC included a provision allowing individual clubs to opt out of the deal.

Barcelona issued a report on Monday which the club said shows that the deal with CVC “makes no sense for FC Barcelona given the cost involved, the returns, the duration of the agreement, and the obligations and commitments it contains.”

CVC has been aggressive in accruing sports investments, including stakes in United Rugby Championship, Six Nations Rugby, and International Volleyball Federation. The firm is close to selling a 10% stake to Blue Owl at a $15 billion valuation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid CF forward Kylian Mbappe (9) reacts after a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

CVC Builds Out Sports Division Amid Crowded PE Market

The firm’s sports portfolio is reportedly worth $13.6 billion.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Louisville’s Miller Moss and several of his teammates stopped by Olympus Gaming Lounge to play EA Sports College Football 26 with fans for a meet and greet. July 11, 2025

Saudis, Silver Lake, Jared Kushner Take EA Private in $55B Deal

Electronic Arts makes “Madden,” “EA Sports College Football,” and more.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.