IOC Marketing Rule On Athletes' Rights Faces Legal Challenge In Germany

Germany's Federal Cartel Office said Wednesday that it is "taking legal action" against the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB), and indirectly the IOC, over athletes' marketing rights during the Games, according to AFP. A "high-profile case threatens to go to court" which would challenge the "money-making machine" behind the Olympics and the exclusiveness of the IOC, which "rakes in billions from advertising and sponsorship." The issue is over Rule 40.3 of the IOC charter which states "no competitor who participates in the Olympic Games may allow his person, name, picture or sports performances to be used for advertising purposes during the games" apart from by official IOC sponsors. In effect, the IOC monopolizes athletes' marketing rights during an Olympics and the DOSB is "being taken to task over the treatment of German athletes." The IOC could "potentially be hit with a domino effect" if the DOSB loses its case and other core European markets follow suit (AFP, 10/25).