Sportradar is facing legal challenges in both the United States and the United Kingdom after sportsbook technology provider Altenar accused the company of restricting access to critical sports data and undermining competition. The lawsuits, filed in federal court in New Jersey and the High Court in London, seek financial damages and regulatory intervention over what Altenar describes as anti-competitive conduct.

The claims come at a time when Sportradar, a major player in the global sports data market, continues to expand its reach through acquisitions and exclusive partnerships with major sports leagues.

Allegations of Market Control and Data Restrictions

Altenar’s legal filings focus on Sportradar’s control over official league data, which the company says is essential for operating sportsbook platforms. According to the complaint in the U.S., Altenar alleges it has been effectively blocked from entering the American market due to Sportradar’s actions.

“Altenar has one of the premier turnkey platforms in the world,” reads the complaint according to City AM. “Indeed, it competes effectively abroad, but it has been foreclosed entirely from entering the United States market by Sportradar’s abuse of its monopoly power over the critical input for Altenar’s product—live official league sports data.”

The lawsuit claims Sportradar holds exclusive rights to data from major leagues including the NBA, NHL, MLB, and ATP. Altenar argues that this dominance allows the company to control access to the information required to generate live betting odds, a key component of sportsbook operations.

In its filings, Altenar also points to a breakdown in a previous agreement that had allowed it to use Sportradar’s data. The company states it had paid more than $6 million annually for access but later lost the ability to operate in the U.S. after Sportradar allegedly failed to uphold the terms of a deal.

“Sportradar wanted to take as much of the United States turnkey market for itself as it could. Rather than keep its promise to provide Altenar with data rights for use in the United States—as it had done through the parties’ longstanding course of dealing abroad—Sportradar instead decided to choke off Altenar’s access to the lifeblood of its business and attempt to capture market share for its own turnkey product,” reads the complaint.

Competition Concerns Across Two Jurisdictions

The dispute extends beyond the United States. Altenar has also initiated proceedings in the UK, alleging violations of the Competition Act. The company claims Sportradar used its position following the acquisition of IMG Arena to influence business relationships and limit rivals’ access to betting data.

The filings state that Sportradar interfered with a contract renewal between Altenar and IMG at a time when the two entities were expected to operate independently. Regulators had previously reviewed the IMG Arena acquisition due to concerns about market concentration before ultimately approving the deal.

An Altenar spokesperson said: “Sportradar is trying to maintain its market dominance by unfairly eliminating its competitors. It is relying on its control over key sports data to squash businesses with a competing offer, despite previously decrying other companies for doing exactly the same.

“We remain open to discussions with Sportradar, but its unilateral and aggressive actions have left us with no choice but to take legal action.”

Altenar is seeking damages worth millions in both jurisdictions and has asked courts to impose measures that would restore competition, including requiring Sportradar to provide access to data.

Broader Impact on the Sports Betting Industry

The case also raises questions about the competitive implications of Sportradar’s broader product offerings. Altenar has flagged concerns about ORAKO, an “all-in-one sportsbook solution for betting operators” launched in 2022, which allows clients to source multiple services directly from Sportradar. The lawsuit argues that such integrated offerings could further limit opportunities for competing providers.

In addition, Altenar claims that products such as ORAKO and NSoft place it at a disadvantage, as they compete directly with its own sportsbook platform while benefiting from exclusive data access.

Sportradar has rejected the allegations in full. In response to the lawsuits, a company spokesperson said: “While we prefer not to comment on pending litigation, we strongly disagree with the claims made by Altenar, which we believe are without merit and contain numerous inaccuracies. Sportradar will address these through the legal process. We encourage stakeholders to rely on our public disclosures and SEC filings for a complete and accurate view of our business.”

The legal battle unfolds as Sportradar continues to grow its business. The company, valued at approximately $5 billion, reported $1.5 billion in revenue and $110 million in profit last year. Its investor base includes high-profile figures such as Michael Jordan and Mark Cuban, while the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board remains its largest shareholder.

The outcome of the lawsuits could have implications for how sports data is distributed and monetized, particularly as demand for real-time information continues to shape the global betting industry.