Baseline Ventures files legal notice against Discovery Communications

Baseline Ventures India has filed a legal notice to Discovery Communications India regarding a ruling dated 21 November 2020.

 

The ruling directed the Volleyball Federation of India to pay a sum of Rs 4,00,00,000 with interest of 12% p.a., and a sum of Rs 5,00,000 as costs to Baseline Ventures. 

 

Baseline Ventures is the owner of the IP - Prime Volleyball League. With the volleyball body not complying with the payment, the sports marketing company has filed an execution petition before the Honorable Court of Madras for INR 4,53,86,509, along with future interest. The legal notice mentioned that the revised payment has also not been paid.

 

With Discovery Communications (through Eurosport) entering a contract with the Volleyball Federation of India, Baseline Ventures has now involved the former in the legal proceedings.  

 

Joy Bhattacharjya, CEO, Prime Volleyball League, said, "Baseline is owed over Rs 6 crores by this body as decided by the courts. On hearing that Discovery Sport wants to broadcast this, we have made them a party to this sum as they are signing a contract with the same body. Discovery needs to be aware of the legal history of this agreement and the dues still owed to us." 

 

Mohd. Akram Khan, secretary general, Volleyball Federation of India, also wrote to Discovery Communications India, noting that the inception of the Volleyball League set to be broadcasted on Eurosport, was created by a small unrecognised faction of Volleyball Federation of India. 

 

Campaign India reached out to Discovery Communications for the network's response to the notice. There was no response at the time of filing this story.