London ( CNN ) -- A landmark ruling which could change the way top-level European football matches are broadcast and sold by television companies was made on Tuesday . The European Court of Justice said that soccer fans have the right to watch sport franchises , such as the English Premier League , on a range of European broadcasters rather than solely via the rights holder designated for each national territory . The court said in a statement : `` A system of licenses for the broadcasting of football matches which grants broadcasters territorial exclusivity on a member state basis and which prohibits television viewers from watching the broadcasts with a decoder card in other member states is contrary to EU law . '' Since its launch in 1992 , the Premier League has sold exclusive match rights to a small number of television networks per national territory , a business model which has seen it become one of the richest in the world -- generating an estimated $ 5.3 billion in income , according to British newspaper The Guardian . Can football chants ever go too far ? But the ruling -- in response to a long-running case by BSkyB against a British pub landlady who broadcast a Greek match feed -- now means that consumers could buy decoder boxes from satellite broadcasters from other nations , at a cheaper price , to watch the games they are interested in . BSkyB , which paid a combined $ 2.73 billion with ESPN to be the main rights owner for the Premier League in the United Kingdom , saw its share price drop 3 % on news of the statement . `` It will have implications for how rights are sold across Europe in future , which we are considering , '' a Sky spokesman told CNN . `` As a broadcaster , it will remain our aim to secure high-quality content for our customers based on the rights available to us . '' The ruling 's effect could be far reaching if the value of football rights were to be diminished . The large amount paid to the Premier League has seen record amounts of prize money given to top-flight English clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal -- finance which has subsequently been used to build new stadia and attract some of the world 's best players . `` This could drive a coach and horses through Sky 's business model for broadcasting of Premier League matches , '' according to Stuart Adams of intellectual property law specialist Rouse , based in London . `` There is every prospect they will find fewer people willing to pay for licenses to broadcast Premier League matches if for a little effort they can get the same pictures via a cheaper overseas feed . When the deal is re-negotiated with the Premier League it will be very interesting to see how the numbers change . `` And if they are markedly reduced , of course , that will have a direct impact on clubs ' revenues and therefore their ability to buy and pay the salaries of top talent . That in turn could lead to yet more polarization between the haves and the have-nots of the English game . '' The English Premier League said it would release a statement shortly . Sanjay Nijran , a sports lawyer for Smithfield Partners based in London , told CNN it could affect future revenues for sport franchises across Europe . `` Any broadcasting rights holder that intends to license rights will be bound by this ruling , it appears they will not be able to limit exclusivity to national borders and consequently the value of these rights could be limited . They may have to look for other models , '' Nijran said . `` We 're not sure but we would imagine the Premier League would possibly be considering a pan-European license to sell the same broadcasting rights to the continent . '' But it could mean that football fans in Europe are able to pay less to watch the matches they want . `` Currently top-level football is sold to a host broadcaster in each European Member State , you have only one choice of provider through which to watch the match . Now , this ruling allows you to watch on the same terms as any other person across Europe , '' added Nijran , who is representing suppliers of satellite television decoders over the issue . `` What this gives the consumer is choice because through increased competition they are able to choose cheaper providers . '' However , the ruling could have a detrimental affect on English lower-league football , Adams told CNN , as it would circumvent the ban on Saturday afternoon matches being broadcast live -- a regulation which is supposed to protect smaller clubs . `` This would have a huge potential impact on clubs ' pricing policies as they are likely to have to reduce prices at the turnstile in order to continue to attract crowds , '' Adams said . `` While this is an issue for Premier League clubs , it is likely to be much more acute for lower-league clubs who are far more at risk of reduced attendances in these circumstances . Such clubs are also more reliant on revenue generated at the turnstiles . `` If the net result of this is more football on the telly for fans to watch , and less money for clubs to lavish on the salaries of their top players , I think most of us would be overjoyed . But if we also see smaller clubs go out of business as a direct consequence , I 'm not so sure that football fans will be cheering quite so loudly . ''
pan-European court says sports fans have the right to choose how they watch matches . It could have a major impact on broadcasters which hold regional licenses for TV rights . BSkyB 's Premier League receives most of its money from a lucrative deal with England . Premier League says it could affect future revenues for sport franchises across Europe .