Attorneys representing the bankrupt Comcast SportsNet Houston pay-television channel have filed a lawsuit against media company Comcast.
The US Bankruptcy Court suit is claiming significant sums – reported to be in excess of $500m (€458m) – on behalf of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball and Houston Rockets NBA basketball franchises, which invested in the venture. The Astros-Rockets-Comcast partnership was launched in 2012 and dissolved in 2014.
“This is a very serious business loss case, and by serious we mean easily into nine figures and well into the $500m to $700m range,” attorney Mark Lanier, representing Houston Regional Sports Network, parent company of the Astros-Rockets-Comcast partnership, told the Houston Chronicle.
Cable-television provider Comcast and seven of its subsidiaries, including NBC Universal Media, along with company officers Jon Litner, John Ruth, Robert Pick and Matt Bond are listed as defendants.
The suit alleges conspiracy, breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation, amongst other violations. The case is expected to run for more than a year.
Comcast said: “Comcast and its affiliated entities and individuals vigorously deny the claims and allegations asserted by the HRSN Litigation Trustee and look forward to demonstrating in court that the lawsuit is entirely without merit.”