Confusion reigns in Altenar v Sportradar antitrust dispute

Sportradar has accused rival company Altenar of attempting to “inflame the news agenda” amid claims the legal dispute between the two has been taken to antitrust authorities in the UK and European Union (EU). Altenar and Sportradar are involved in a long-running dispute, with the former accusing the latter of breaching antitrust principles via its exclusive control of US sports data rights. The case has so far largely taken place in the District Court of New Jersey, though Altenar did also file claims with the High Court in London when the case first began in April 2026. This week, SBC News was informed that Altenar had sent complaints to both the European Commission (EC) and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). SBC News understands that a complaint has been received by the CMA, but that no investigation is yet underway. It is unclear whether the CMA will decide to proceed with an investigation or not at this stage. The situation regarding complaints to the European Commission is even more unclear. At this stage, SBC News understands that no formal competition complaint has even been received by the EU’s executive cabinet, despite communications on behalf of Altenar earlier this week claiming that a complaint had been submitted. “We have received market information on this matter, which we are assessing,” a European Commission spokesperson told SBC News. Sportradar slams “unnecessary” complaints The circulation of a press release relating to Altnear’s complaints to the EC and CMA has prompted a fiery response from Sportradar. A Sportradar spokesperson remarked to SBC News that: “It is already a matter of public record that Altenar is in dispute with Sportradar in several jurisdictions. “Sportradar has not received notice of today’s alleged complaint but is aware of Altenar’s February 2026 threats to file “complaints” with competition authorities in multiple jurisdictions. “Altenar’s latest efforts to inflame the news agenda appear duplicative, unnecessary and serve as a thinly veiled attempt to assert pressure in the existing commercial disputes in process. Sportradar has and will continue to comply with antitrust and other laws wherever it does business.” Sportradar is one of the biggest sportstech and data firms globally. The Nasdaq-listed firm has built up a huge international portfolio of data rights partnerships with some of the world’s biggest leagues, with data subsequently supplied to prominent operators like Flutter Entertainment. Notable sports partners include FIFA, the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). These US data partnerships have been the subject of Altenar’s antitrust claims. The company believes that Sportradar is abusing its position as an exclusive data partner of the leagues to better its own position as a sportsbook technology provider, to the detriment of other B2B betting tech firms like Altenar. Following the information being sent to the EC and CMA, an Altenar spokesperson summarised the firm’s stance: “We believe Sportradar is using its control of essential sports data to shut out businesses with a competing offer.” The company asserts that Sportradar’s control of sports data rights, as an exclusive partner of certain leagues, is hindering EU and UK bookmakers by denying a “choice of suppliers and a market that supports competition and innovation”. “We are asking the European Commission and the CMA to intervene and ensure that independent providers can compete on fair terms,” the spokesperson for the Isle of Man headquartered company added.