NFL Ordered to Pay $4.8 Billion in Antitrust Violation Case
A jury in the U.S. District Court has ordered the NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in damages after finding the league guilty of violating antitrust laws. The case centered around the distribution of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games through a premium subscription service.
Damages Awarded
Residential Class: $4.7 billion
Commercial Class: $96 million
The lawsuit, covering 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses, targeted the NFL’s practices from the 2011 to 2022 seasons on DirecTV. It alleged that the league sold its “Sunday Ticket” package at inflated prices and restricted competition by offering it exclusively through a satellite provider.
Jury Deliberation and Verdict
The jury, composed of five men and three women, deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching their decision. Plaintiffs’ attorney Bill Carmody emphasized the broader implications of the case, stating, “This case transcends football. It’s about justice and telling the 32 team owners that even they cannot ignore antitrust laws.”
NFL’s Response and Appeal Plans
The NFL announced plans to appeal the decision to the 9th Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court. The league argued that their antitrust exemption for broadcasting should cover “Sunday Ticket” and maintained that their media distribution strategy is the most fan-friendly model in sports and entertainment.
Background and Legal Journey
DirecTV held the “Sunday Ticket” package from 1994 through 2022, after which the NFL signed a seven-year deal with YouTube TV beginning in 2023. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2015 by the Mucky Duck sports bar in San Francisco but was dismissed in 2017. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the case in 2019, and Judge Gutierrez ruled last year that it could proceed as a class action.