Channel Seven drops case against AFL
By Matt Brown
http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200512/s1521111.htm
Channel Seven has cleared the way to regain the AFL broadcast rights after dropping a multi-million dollar law suit against the league.
Channel Seven was suing 22 organisations for more than $1 billion, claiming they joined forces to put its pay TV channel, C7, out of business.
C7 folded when Channel Nine, Ten and Foxtel paid $500 million for the last rights.
The case against the other defendants continues, but Channel 7 is no longer pursuing the AFL over the collapse.
Channel 10 jumped ship earlier this year to join Seven.
The two networks are now in negotiations with the AFL for the new rights, beginning in 2007.
The law suit was a major hurdle and this afternoon's announcement clears the way for the AFL to consider bids from Channel Seven.
The AFL says it has spent $7 million on legal fees and has reserved the right to claim costs from Seven in the future.
The league wants to settle the rights by the end of the year.
