Madrid, Barcelona among teams fined over TV rights
MADRID (AP) - 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.
In Spain, individual clubs reach TV rights deals with broadcasters instead of using collective bargaining.
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