How we helped
AlixPartners was brought into the scrum when a dispute arose between Premiership Rugby and one of its clubs, Saracens Rugby Club, over the salary cap.
The club was found in breach of financial fair play rules and was subjected to a 35-point penalty, effectively demoting the top-flight club to a lower league. The club claimed that the league’s salary cap rules infringed competition law.
The dispute involved a detailed examination of the consistency of financial fair play rules with competition law, and our expert produced reports and testimony on the likely economic effects of the rules on sports markets like rugby. Our expert’s report addressed issues concerning market definition, as well as the likely economic effects of the salary cap for competitive balance and financial viability.
A specialist sports arbitration panel found in favor of Premiership Rugby, and the penalty was upheld.