NFL Hit With $4 Billion Antitrust Verdict Over 'Sunday Ticket'

NFL Hit With $4 Billion Antitrust Verdict

- A federal jury has ordered the NFL to pay $4.7 billion in residential class damages and $96 million in commercial class damages in a class action lawsuit filed by subscribers to "NFL Sunday Ticket." >- The lawsuit argued that the NFL, its teams, and its network partners (DirecTV, CBS, ESPN, and Fox) violated antitrust rules by working together to limit competition and sell the out-of-market TV package at an inflated price. >- Plaintiffs included more than 2.4 million residential subscribers and more than 48,000 restaurants, bars, and other commercial establishments that purchased a subscription to "Sunday Ticket."

NFL Intends to Appeal Verdict

- The NFL intends to appeal the decision to U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, arguing that the damages are "excessive and unreasonable." >- The league also issued a statement saying it's "disappointed with the jury's verdict today." >- "We will certainly contest this decision as we believe that the class action claims in this case are baseless and without merit," the NFL said in the statement.

Verdict Could Have Major Implications

- If the verdict is upheld, it could have major implications for the NFL's business practices. >- The league could be forced to restructure its "Sunday Ticket" package or even sell it to a different provider. >- The verdict could also lead to other lawsuits against the NFL and other sports leagues.

Legal Analysis

- The NFL's decision to use attorney Beth Wilkinson was curious because she has no experience in litigating antitrust cases. >- This could be a sign that the league was not taking the case seriously. >- The jury's verdict suggests that they were not convinced by the NFL's arguments.

Timeline of Events

- 2015:

Lawsuit is originally filed on behalf of San Francisco's Mucky Duck sports bar.

- 2017:

NFL memo states the league is looking at the option of putting out-of-market games on cable.

- 2021:

ESPN proposes a lesser package with a price of $70 per season that the NFL rejects.

- 2022:

DirecTV loses exclusive rights to "Sunday Ticket."

- 2024:

Federal jury orders NFL to pay $4 billion in damages.

Key Figures

- $4.7 billion:

Amount of damages awarded to residential class members.

- $96 million:

Amount of damages awarded to commercial class members.

- 2.4 million:

Number of residential subscribers included in the lawsuit.

- 48,000:

Number of commercial establishments included in the lawsuit.

- 1994-2022:

Years that DirecTV had exclusive rights to "Sunday Ticket."

Additional Information

- The "Sunday Ticket" service is now available through YouTube TV. - The price of "Sunday Ticket" was $349 last season. - The NFL could be forced to make changes to the "Sunday Ticket" package as a result of the verdict.