Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), says it will not make an official statement on the $100-million lawsuit filed against the organisation by Pivott LLC until it has completed a legal review.
Pivott, the broadcast partner of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), has filed a lawsuit claiming damages of over $100 million against the PFJL for breach of contract.
The claim alleges that the PFJL, which is charged with the operation of the JPL, breached its contract with Pivott, leading to financial damages, a loss in reputation, and an outstanding balance for their services.
Pivott was announced as the official broadcast partner for the JPL in August last year after the departure of the now-defunct SportsMax.
Hill said the matter is now under legal review, the PFJL will not make any official statements until the review is completed, and all the claims have been investigated.
“The matter is under legal review ultimately because it has been reported, and we want to be very clear of what the reports are and if they’re actually accurate in terms of the filing,” Hill said of the matter.
“We have brought it to the lawyers that are currently reviewing the claims and, once we get updated guidance, then we can make an official statement.”
LAWSUIT
Pivott, in their filing dated April 16 with the Supreme Court, alleges that the PFJL breached its contract with Pivott as the exclusive broadcaster of the local league, as well as violated a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The lawsuit claims the PFJL breached its contract by broadcasting live games on its YouTube channel, Jamaica Premier League TV, without the permission of Pivott, which infringed on their exclusive broadcasting rights.
The lawsuit also claims that, by violating their contract, the PFJL caused damages to Pivott’s reputation and its relationships with other companies.
Pivott is asking for an injunction that will prevent the PFJL from any further violations of the contract, as well as claiming US$207,000 for outstanding balance for services and damages in excess of US$500,000.
The filing states that the PFJL has within 14 days after the date of service to either pay the amount in full or state its intention to contest the lawsuit.
