The National Football League (NFL) has been ordered to pay an incredible amount in damages to fans who purchased the popular “Sunday Ticket” package in a landmark legal battle. Millions of subscribers are involved in this lawsuit, which has significant ramifications for the league and its devoted audience.
Joe Pompliano Tweeted:
“@JoePompliano BREAKING: The NFL has been ordered to pay fans $4.7 billion in damages as a result of its Sunday Ticket antitrust trial. And since antitrust cases can triple damages, the actual number is over $14 billion. That’s thousands of dollars per household.”
BREAKING: The NFL has been ordered to pay fans $4.7 billion in damages as a result of its Sunday Ticket antitrust trial.
And since antitrust cases can triple damages, the actual number is over $14 billion.
That's thousands of dollars per household. pic.twitter.com/jlMRBqez05
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 27, 2024
This ruling, if upheld, could have a major financial impact on the NFL and potentially reshape the landscape of out-of-market game broadcasts.
What Is “Sunday Ticket”?
“Sunday Ticket” is a premium subscription service offered by the NFL. It allows fans to watch out-of-market games on Sundays, even if those games are not broadcast in their local area. For die-hard football enthusiasts, it’s a lifeline to follow their favorite teams and players.
The Allegations
The plaintiffs argued that the NFL inflated the price of “Sunday Ticket” by selling it at an artificially high cost. Additionally, they claimed that the league restricted competition by making the package available only through a satellite provider. Essentially, fans were left with no choice but to pay a premium if they wanted access to all the Sunday games.
The Mind-Boggling Damages
The numbers are mind-boggling. The class-action case covers over 2.45 million residential and commercial subscribers from 2012 to 2022. The plaintiffs sought $7.1 billion in damages. But here’s the kicker: federal rules allow for triple damages in antitrust cases. If the NFL loses, it could be on the hook for up to $21 billion! That’s thousands of dollars per household affected by this legal battle.
The NFL’s Defense
The NFL, of course, has its own side of the story. The league maintains that it has the right to sell “Sunday Ticket” under its antitrust exemption for broadcasting. However, the plaintiffs argue that this exemption only covers over-the-air broadcasts and not pay TV. It’s a legal tug-of-war that has captivated sports fans and legal experts alike.
The Verdict and Its Impact
As the trial unfolds, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If the NFL is found liable, a jury could award $7 billion in damages. But with the tripling effect, that number could balloon to $21 billion. The financial repercussions would reverberate throughout the league, affecting team revenues, player salaries, and even the viewing experience for fans.
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