The Seven Network has again launched court action against Cricket Australia in a bid to rip up its $450 million TV rights deal.
In another dramatic escalation in tension between the parties, Seven is going to the Federal Court claiming "multiple quality and standard breaches by CA" in the six-year rights deal.
"Seven's intention is to terminate the MRA (Media Rights Agreement), conditional on the Federal Court granting a declaration that Seven is entitled to do so," a Seven statement seen by AAP read.
"Seven has the right to waive this condition.
"The damages action is not conditional.
"Seven will continue to perform its obligations under the MRA (in terms of telecasting Tests and BBL etc.) until terminated.
"Seven has pursued the informal dispute resolution procedure under the MRA but the procedure failed to resolve the dispute."
Seven has broadcast Test cricket in Australia, Big Bash League action and women's internationals since 2018 when they secured the rights from CA's long-term free-to-air partner, the Nine Network.
Federal Court paperwork was first lodged by Seven against CA in 2020, with the parties regularly trading public barbs.
Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton once declared CA was "the most incompetent administration" he had ever worked with.
Seven is understood to still be happy with its broadcasts of Test cricket but is unhappy with the standards of the BBL.
AAP understands the court proceedings will start early next year, well after the busy summer of cricket begins.
The action is therefore unlikely to impact the upcoming season, given there would likely be legal implications if broadcast agreements were not met.
The issue between the two parties appeared to be over after mediation last year, resulting in a marginal discount in the network's fee.
However it long since simmered in the background, as CA were ordered to hand over pre-discovery documents by the Federal Court last August.
Thursday's announcement would therefore have come as no shock to CA officials in the Jolimont head office, or CEO Nick Hockley in Galle at the first Test.
In a statement on Thursday, the organisation said they were "extremely disappointed" by Seven's actions.
"CA is astonished that Seven has brought this unwarranted action which will be strenuously defended," the organisation said.
"CA remains enormously proud of the efforts of the Australian Cricket family including players, match officials, sponsors, stadium operators, host governments, staff and volunteers whose hard work, dedication and expertise allowed us to deliver two exceptional cricket seasons in unprecedented circumstances."
Seven's statement came on the same day Faf du Plessis was unveiled as the Big Bash's first marquee overseas player to join the overseas player draft.
CA hope the introduction of the draft can help revitalise the BBL and take the Twenty20 competition back to its glory days.
The ownership structure of clubs also remains a significant issue in the BBL, with both Cricket NSW and Queensland vocal in backing private ownership this week.
Australian Associated Press
