LaLiga loses appeal against Real Madrid and Athletic but claims CVC deal remains unaffected

In a significant legal development, the Madrid Provincial Court has rejected LaLiga’s appeal against the ruling that invalidated the August 12, 2021 Assembly challenged by Real Madrid and Athletic Club. This judicial decision represents another chapter in the ongoing battle between Spain’s top football league and two of its most historic clubs over the controversial CVC investment deal.

In Short

Court dismisses LaLiga’s appeal in landmark decision

The Madrid Provincial Court’s ruling, issued on March 19, 2025, has delivered a blow to LaLiga’s legal position regarding the assembly that initially approved the CVC agreement. The court determined that while the extraordinary general assembly was correctly convened and adequate information was provided to clubs, a substantial alteration to the agenda occurred concerning how the deal would affect non-participating clubs.

This legal dispute began when three clubs – Real Madrid, Athletic Club, and Barcelona – initially filed a complaint against the assembly decision. Although Barcelona later withdrew from the lawsuit, Real Madrid and Athletic Club persisted in their legal challenge, ultimately achieving this favorable court decision.

Football analysts who specialize in predicting outcomes of both matches and legal battles had anticipated this decision based on previous rulings. The ongoing conflict between LaLiga and these traditional powerhouses continues to reshape the financial landscape of Spanish football, creating ripple effects that impact competitive balance and future investment strategies.

The court specifically highlighted that while LaLiga’s assembly convocation procedures were correct, the amendment regarding how the CVC operation would impact non-participating clubs constituted an infringement of information rights. This technical detail proved decisive in the court’s decision to reject LaLiga’s appeal.

LaLiga maintains CVC agreement remains valid despite court ruling

Despite this setback, LaLiga has quickly moved to clarify that the court’s decision does not affect the validity or continuation of the “LaLiga Impulso” project with CVC that was subsequently approved in the December 10, 2021 Assembly. This distinction is crucial for LaLiga’s financial planning, as the €1.9 billion investment deal represents a cornerstone of the league’s growth strategy.

According to LaLiga’s statement, the substantive issues related to the Impulso project have been submitted for judicial debate in a separate proceeding challenging the December 2021 Assembly agreement. A February 2024 ruling already dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims in that case, though this decision is not yet final and will be appealed to the Supreme Court.

This legal battle follows a pattern of confrontation between LaLiga and certain clubs, particularly Real Madrid. The league has previously taken significant actions against the club, including filing a formal complaint against Real Madrid in relation to other disputes that have fractured the relationship between the organization and one of its flagship teams.

The financial implications of this ongoing dispute remain substantial. The CVC deal was designed to provide immediate liquidity to Spanish clubs in exchange for a percentage of future broadcasting rights, a particularly valuable injection during the post-pandemic recovery period when many clubs faced severe economic challenges.

Statistical models examining the financial health of LaLiga clubs show that those who opted into the CVC agreement have generally shown improved financial flexibility, though long-term projections remain mixed depending on how broadcast rights values evolve in the next decade.

Legal battle highlights deeper divisions in Spanish football

The ongoing legal confrontation between LaLiga and two of its most prestigious clubs reflects deeper philosophical divisions about how Spanish football should be governed and financed. Real Madrid and Athletic Club have consistently positioned themselves as defenders of traditional club values, opposing what they view as excessive centralization of power and resources.

Real Madrid, under Florentino Pérez’s leadership, has been particularly vocal in challenging LaLiga’s authority, most notably in championing the European Super League project that would have drastically altered the continent’s football landscape. The club’s opposition to the CVC deal aligns with this broader strategy of maintaining independence from league-wide financial initiatives.

Athletic Club, with its unique player recruitment policy focusing exclusively on Basque players, has similarly maintained a distinctive position within Spanish football that values autonomy and tradition. Their alliance with Real Madrid in this legal challenge underscores how clubs with different sporting models can find common cause in opposition to central authority.

Data from recent seasons indicates that Spanish football’s economic model continues to evolve rapidly. While broadcast revenue has grown 37% over the past five years, the distribution of these resources remains contentious. The traditional powerhouses seek a larger share based on their global appeal, while LaLiga advocates for a more balanced approach to maintain competitive equilibrium.

As this legal saga continues, expert analysts suggest that predictive modeling of both sporting and financial outcomes becomes increasingly complex. The intertwining of legal decisions, financial investments, and on-field performance creates a multidimensional chess match where anticipating the next move requires sophisticated analysis of regulatory, economic, and competitive factors.