In a landmark antitrust case, a U.S. District Court jury has found the NFL guilty of violating antitrust laws in its distribution of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games through the “Sunday Ticket” service.
The verdict, which awarded nearly $4.8 billion in damages to subscribers, challenges the league’s long-standing practice of offering the service exclusively through DirecTV at premium prices.
The jury’s decision, reached after three weeks of testimony and deliberation, could have far-reaching implications for sports broadcasting rights. The class action, representing over 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses, alleged that the NFL’s exclusive distribution model artificially inflated prices and limited consumer access.
Despite testimony from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the league failed to persuade the jury of the legitimacy of its practices. The plaintiffs’ case, primarily built on economic analyses and pre-trial depositions, proved more compelling.
The verdict’s potential impact extends beyond the immediate financial liability, which could reach $14.39 billion when trebled under federal antitrust laws. It may force the NFL to reconsider its broadcasting strategy, potentially leading to more flexible options such as team-specific or week-by-week packages at reduced prices.
This ruling aligns with a broader trend of antitrust scrutiny in sports broadcasting. It echoes the landmark 1984 Supreme Court decision that reshaped college football TV rights and the 1982 case allowing the Raiders’ move to Los Angeles.
However, the NFL has announced its intention to appeal, potentially taking the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and possibly the Supreme Court.
This process could delay any immediate changes to the “Sunday Ticket” service or the NFL’s broadcasting model.
As other major U.S. sports leagues closely monitor this case, the outcome could influence how out-of-market games are distributed across various sports, potentially altering the landscape of sports media rights and consumer access to live games.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.