What the $4.8 billion NFL Sunday Ticket ruling means for football fans
By Simone Del Rosario (Business Correspondent), Brent Jabbour (Senior Producer), Zachary Hill (Editor)
A federal jury in California ruled against the National Football League on Thursday, June 28, in a class-action antitrust case that could have huge implications for how out-of-market broadcasts are handled in the future. The jury’s decision in the NFL Sunday Ticket case comes with a $4.8 billion price tag that could balloon to more than $14 billion if the judgment is upheld.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
NFL must pay $4.7bn in damages after Sunday Ticket broadcast lawsuit
Click to see story on The GuardianJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The IndependentJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsJury rules NFL must pay more than $4 billion to ‘Sunday Ticket’ subscribers
Click to see story on USA TodayJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc NewsNFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on CNNNFL ordered to pay $5 billion in Sunday Ticket lawsuit
Click to see story on The Washington PostNFL ordered to pay $4.7B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case
Click to see story on ESPNNFL ordered to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesNFL Socked With $4.7 Billion-Plus Verdict in Sunday Ticket Case, League to Appeal Decision
Click to see story on VarietyNFL Hit With About $4.7 Billion Damages in Sunday Ticket Trial
Click to see story on BloombergJury orders NFL to pay billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on nprJury Sides Against NFL in Sunday Ticket Lawsuit; League Could Owe $4 Billion
Click to see story on Sports IllustratedJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Coast ReporterJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Star TribuneNFL hit with $4.8 billion in damages over ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on NBC NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 6 PhiladelphiaJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 13 HoustonJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc11 RaleighJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc30 NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Koco News5Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on News & RecordNFL violated antitrust laws and must pay nearly $4.7 billion in damages, jury rules
Click to see story on PBS NewsHourJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
Click to see story on WSVNNFL ordered to pay billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case. Here’s how much
Click to see story on NBC New YorkJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Seattle TimesNFL ordered to pay $4.8B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on Vernon Morning StarJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Orlando SentinelJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WCSHJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesNFL Ordered to Pay $4.7B in Damages in Sunday Ticket Antitrust Trial
Click to see story on BleacherreportAlert: Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Seattle PiJury orders NFL to pay nearly US$4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on CTV NewsNFL ordered to pay nearly $7.8b in antitrust lawsuit
Click to see story on NZ HeraldNFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on KRDONFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on KIFIJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on CNBCJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KVIANFL ordered to pay nearly $5B in Sunday Ticket antitrust case
Click to see story on The HillJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressNFL Ordered to Pay Billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ Antitrust Trial
Click to see story on NewsweekJury Hits NFL With $4.7 Billion In Damages In ‘Sunday Ticket’ Legal Fight
Click to see story on DeadlineJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsNFL Hit With $4.7 Billion Damages in Sunday Ticket Trial
Click to see story on Live MintJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Pioneer PressJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KCRA 3Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 ChicagoJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case
Click to see story on Spectrum NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Portland Press HeraldJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 LAJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 NYJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WCVBJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WLWTJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WMURJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Wral NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WLKYJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WESHJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KETVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WDSUJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WTAEJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WYFFJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KCCINFL hit with $4.7 billion verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on WTVBJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KMBCJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KOB 4Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WISNJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WBAL-TVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WPTZJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WMTWJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WVTMJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WAPTJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KOATJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WFAA 8abcJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WPBFJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WGALNFL to Challenge Massive Verdict in Favor of ‘Sunday Ticket’ Subscribers
Click to see story on Times of San DiegoJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WXIIJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KFOR-TVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Daily FreemanJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Chico Enterprise-RecordJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KSBWJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WKYCJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WBIRJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WJCLJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Krem2 NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KHBSJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Scripps NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Santa Cruz SentinelJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Times-StandardJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The ReporterJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Red Bluff Daily NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Times HeraldJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KYTXNFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust lawsuit
Click to see story on New York PostJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Boston HeraldJury slaps NFL with nearly $4.8 billion in damages over antitrust case, league vows to appeal
Click to see story on Just the NewsNFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in damages in ‘Sunday Ticket’ lawsuit
Click to see story on Marietta Daily JournalNFL ordered to pay $4.7B after losing Sunday Ticket antitrust trial (NYSE:T)
Click to see story on Seeking AlphaNFL hit with $4.7B verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on New Hampshire Union LeaderNFL to pay $4 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case, jury rules
Click to see story on Fox BusinessJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Daily PressJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Odessa AmericanRight
Untracked Bias
Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on SportsnetJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on My Mother LodeJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewNFL ordered to pay over $4.7 billion to customers after jury rules against them in Sunday Ticket case
Click to see story on WBRZJury Orders NFL To Pay Nearly $4.8 Billion In ‘Sunday Ticket’ Case For Violating Antitrust Laws – WCCB Charlotte’s CW
Click to see story on WCCB CharlotteNFL ordered to pay $4.8B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on Today In BCJury Rules NFL Owes $4 Billion In Sunday Ticket Antitrust Case
Click to see story on RAWCHILINFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in damages in ‘Sunday Ticket’ lawsuit
Click to see story on Field Level MediaAlert: Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Jacksonville Journal-CourierJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on NXSTNFL hit with $4.7 billion verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on Blue Water Healthy LivingJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on MOR-TVJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Nashoba Valley VoiceJury Orders NFL to Pay $4.7 Billion in Sunday Ticket Case
Click to see story on Front Office SportsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on thealbertan.comNFL Loses Sunday Ticket Case, Ordered To Pay $4.7 Billion
Click to see story on NextTVThe road to this decision stems from a 2015 complaint by Mucky Duck, a San Francisco sports bar that claimed the league violated antitrust laws by bundling all out-of-market games together with the NFL Sunday Ticket, making it impossible to buy a package that features just one team.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Under the $4.8 billion judgment, residential subscribers would receive around $4.7 billion, while nearly $100 million would go to commercial users like the Mucky Duck.
Federal antitrust law allows private parties to sue for triple damages, which could mean the NFL would be on the hook for more than $14 billion. If divided among the league’s 32 teams, that would be roughly $450 million per team.
For its part, the league has promised to appeal the decision and the case could end up before the Supreme Court. The trial itself got messy when the federal judge overseeing the case reprimanded the plaintiffs’ attorneys, saying, “It turned into 25 hours of depositions and gobbledygook.”
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario breaks down the implications of the ruling with Helen “Nellie” Drew, the director of the University of Buffalo Center for the Advancement of Sport and a professor of practice in sports law.
The following has been edited for clarity. You can watch the full interview in the video at the top of this page.
Simone Del Rosario: Nellie, we are about to enter a lengthy appeals process. What does this mean for fans out there who might think that this ruling could give them better access to their favorite team’s games right away?
Nellie Drew: Oh, that’s not going to happen this season. The NFL is already committed to an appeal. It will no doubt be a lengthy one. There is a possibility for certain post-trial motions, so we’ll have to see how those go. But the challenge always with antitrust cases is that they are so complex, and as we know, litigation doesn’t exactly move at lightning speed anyhow, so this is going to take a while to be parsed out.
Simone Del Rosario: This was a jury trial, but the federal judge in this case did not love where the plaintiffs were going during their arguments, saying, “The case has turned into 25 hours of depositions and gobbledygook. This case has gone in a direction it shouldn’t have gone.” Could the federal judge throw out the verdict and side with the NFL?
Nellie Drew: I suppose it’s possible. There’ll probably be a motion to overturn the verdict for sure. What does that mean as a practical matter? Well, it took the jury less than three hours to come to this conclusion. That’s a pretty significant statement. It’s not like they were on the edge of going the other way.
I am actually amazed that we went as far as we did. My colleague, Christine Bartholomew, who’s an antitrust expert, has mentioned the fact that it’s rare for antitrust cases to go all the way to trial. And for this one to have completed, it’s just mind-boggling to me, absolutely mind-boggling.
Simone Del Rosario: What does this mean for the NFL’s antitrust exemption? They argue that this falls under it and allows the league to package games and sell them to networks. The plaintiffs argued that it only applies to over-the-air broadcasts, not pay TV.
Nellie Drew: This is not new law. The sports broadcasting exemption goes back to Richard Nixon wanting to watch the then-Washington Redskins on TV, quite honestly. I mean, that’s how old this is and the sports broadcasting exemption act specifically was drawn for over-the-air broadcasts, and that was emphasized very heavily.
You also have to remember that as a matter of practice, the courts construe any exemptions to the antitrust laws extraordinarily narrowly. The idea is that the antitrust framework is supposed to be inclusive, as much as possible, and any exemptions are supposed to be very, very narrow and very, very specific, which is what the sports broadcasting act is.
And if you review the legislative history of the sports broadcasting act, that is very, very clear. So I was quite honestly, very surprised to see the NFL take that position, although I guess there’s not much else they could possibly say.
Simone Del Rosario: What do we do with that now, given the new television landscape with streaming? It’s so different than it was in the ’60s.
Nellie Drew: It’s a very different context since Richard Nixon’s days, right? But having said that, the underlying point is access. I don’t know how much of an NFL fan you are, but the complaint I’ve heard from a number of people over the course of the past year is, it’s gotten to a point where you have to own multiple platforms be able to follow your team.
And so it’s almost going the other way. And part of me also wonders, just as a practical matter, when is the NFL going to realize that the lifeblood of the league and the source of all its revenue is the fans? So if the fans aren’t able to consume the product they want to consume, eventually they’re going to go, ‘Maybe soccer is better, right?’
Simone Del Rosario: Is this going to have an effect on cable companies that rely on bundled packages?
Nellie Drew: Yes, although how that’s going to play out remains to be seen. It depends upon what the ultimate outcome of this is. And what was interesting, too, you may have read that the NFL tried to posit this as a premium subscription: ‘This is only for a very small portion of our fan base.’
In reality, given the society we live in now, I’ve got seven kids, half of them are out of the area and adore the Buffalo Bills, but they can’t watch them on a regular basis under the current construct.
Simone Del Rosario: Let me ask you this, then. Did the NFL mess up in its arguments? Roger Goodell called it a supplemental package for the biggest fans, just like you said, but the NFL Sunday Ticket was pitched as this place to watch your favorite teams.
Nellie Drew: I think the challenge for the NFL counsel was that the advertising messaging was one thing, and then they had to try to spin it a different way when they got into court.
And antitrust counsel, which is always there in league meetings because almost everything the league does has potentially some antitrust implications; we know now, in the wake of the Supreme Court case some years ago, that for sure, when each of the teams in the league discusses anything with any other team, you have the potential for a Section 1 Sherman Act violation, because you have two potential competitors collaborating.
Now, some of this collaboration is necessary for the league to function, that’s been recognized by the courts. Somebody has to set the schedule, somebody has to agree upon what the rules are going to be, what the new kickoff rule is going to be, for example. That type of collaboration is, generally speaking, allowed under the antitrust laws.
Unbiased news.
Directly to your inbox. Free!
Learn more about our emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
It’s when you use that position, and combine that with a sort of monopoly, if you will, that the NFL has over its product to extract unreasonable profits, that’s when you start running into trouble. And the key here was that consumer choice was definitely being constrained by this artificial construct.
Simone Del Rosario: Let’s talk about consumer choice. I know this isn’t really a legal question. It’s definitely more of a business question. But what do you think of the potential popularity of an NFL product where customers could subscribe to a single team?
Nellie Drew: But the challenge then is, what does that do to the broadcast partners? And that’s their bread and butter they’re trying to protect. I mean, they have this greed, right? They wanted to use the Sunday Ticket to extract an extra little bit, but in the process, they know that they have to protect their broadcast partners. Because my kids in Boston aren’t watching the Patriots. They’re watching the Bills if they can get them, right? And so that’s the challenge.
Simone Del Rosario:
What’s the cost of the NFL Sunday Ticket in 2024? Well, for the league it’s nearly $4.8 billion.
That’s how much a federal jury in California awarded plaintiffs in a class-action antitrust lawsuit over how the league handled out-of-market broadcasts as part of the package.
The verdict stems from a 2015 complaint from the Mucky Duck, a California sports bar that claimed the league violated antitrust laws by bundling all out-of-market games together, making it impossible to buy a package that featured just one team.
For instance, say you’re a lonely Los Angeles Chargers fan in the heart of Ohio. You might get the Cincinnati Bengals or Cleveland Browns games on your local Fox or CBS affiliate … But you would have to buy Sunday Ticket to get access to the whole slate of NFL just to watch your beloved Bolts.
Getting down to the nuts and bolts of the damages: Of the $4.8 billion, $4.7 billion goes to residential subscribers, while nearly $100 million goes to commercial users like the Mucky Duck. Under federal antitrust laws, those sums could be tripled to more than $14 billion if the judgment is upheld. That works out to around $450 million per team.
The league has promised to appeal the decision, and this case could end up before the Supreme Court. Even the federal judge in question didn’t like the way this case went.
Joining me now to discuss is Nelly, Drew director of the University of Buffalo Center for the Advancement of sport, and Professor of Practice in sports law. Nelly, we are about to enter a lengthy appeals process, so let’s figure this out. What does this mean for fans out there who might think that this ruling could give them better access to their favorite teams games right away?
Nellie Drew: Oh, that’s not going to happen this season. The NFL is already committed to an appeal. It will no doubt be a lengthy one. There is a possibility for certain post-trial motions, so we’ll have to see those go. But the challenge always with antitrust cases is that they are so complex, and as we know, litigation doesn’t exactly move at lightning speed, anyhow, so this is going to take a while to be parsed out.
Simone Del Rosario: This was a jury trial, but the federal judge in this case did not love where the plaintiffs were going during their arguments. I have a quote that I use specifically because of one word in it, so I think you probably already know which one I’m going for here. He said the case has turned into 25 hours of depositions and gobbledygook. This case has gone in a direction it shouldn’t have gone. Could the federal judge throw out the verdict and side with the NFL?
Nellie Drew: Oh, I suppose it’s possible. There’ll probably be a motion to overturn the verdict for sure. What does that mean as a practical matter? Well, took the jury. What was it less than three hours to come to this conclusion. That’s a pretty significant statement. It’s not like they were on the on the edge of not going the other way. I am actually amazed that we went as far as we did. My colleague, Christine Bartholomew, who’s an antitrust expert has mentioned the fact that it’s rare for antitrust cases to go all the way to trial and for this one to have completed, it’s just mind boggling to me, absolutely mind boggling.
Simone Del Rosario: What does this mean for the nfl’s antitrust exemption? They argue that this falls under it that allows the league to package games and sell them to networks. The plaintiffs were arguing that it only applies to over the air broadcast. Pay TV, like satellite. I’m so curious. It’s a new world we’re living in. So what does that mean?
Nellie Drew: So, this is not new law. So the sports broadcasting exemption goes back to Richard Dixon wine to watch the, then Washington Redskins on TV, quite honestly. I mean, that’s how old this is and and the sports broadcasting exemption Act specifically was drawn for over the air broadcasts, and that was emphasized very heavily. And you also have to remember that as a matter of practice, the courts construe any exemptions to the antitrust laws extraordinarily narrowly. The idea is that the antitrust framework is supposed to be inclusive, as much as possible, and any exemptions are supposed to be very, very narrow and very, very specific, which is what the sports broadcasting act is. And if you review the legislative history of the sports broadcasting act, that is very, very clear. So I was quite honestly, very surprised to see the NFL take that position, although I guess there’s not much else I could possibly say well,
Simone Del Rosario: And it’s assuming that that’s just going to continue in a different form. What do we do now with that, given how the like television streaming, what this all looks like. It’s so different than it was in the 60s?
Nellie Drew: it’s a very different context, since Richard Nixon’s days, right? But, but having said that, the underlying point is access and so I’m not much of an NFL fan you are, but the complaint I heard for a number of people over the course of the past year is, it’s gotten to a point where you have to own multiple platforms be able to follow your team. And so it’s almost going the other way. And and part of me also wonders, just as a practical matter, when is the NFL going to realize that the lifeblood of the league, and the source of all its revenue is the fans. So if the fans aren’t able to consume the product they want to consume, eventually they’re going to go like, ‘maybe soccer is better’, right?
Simone Del Rosario: Is this going to have an effect on cable companies that rely on bundled packages?
Nellie Drew: Yes, although how that’s going to play out remains to be seen. It depends upon what the ultimate outcome of this is, right? And was interesting, too. As you may have read that, you know, the NFL tried to posit this as a premium subscription, right? This is only for a very small portion of our fan base, when in reality given the society we live in now… I’ve got seven kids, half of them are out of the area and adore the Buffalo Bills, but they can’t watch them on a regular basis under the current construct, right?
Simone Del Rosario: Let me ask you this. Then, did the NFL mess up in its arguments? You know, on the stand? Goodell called it a supplemental package for the biggest fans, just like you said. But the NFL Sunday Ticket they they pitched it basically as this place to watch your favorite teams. Did they mess up and how it was all communicated for the past couple of decades? Really
Nellie Drew: well. I think the challenge for the NFL council was that the advertising messaging, was one thing, and then they had to try to spin it a different way when they got into court. And antitrust counsel, which is always there in league meetings because almost everything the league does, has potentially some antitrust implications. We know now, in the wake of the Supreme Court case some years ago, that for sure, when each of the teams in the league discusses anything with any other team. You have the potential for Section One Sherman Act violation, because you have two potential competitors collaborating. Now, some of this collaboration is necessary for the league to function that’s been recognized by the courts, right? You know, somebody has to set the schedule, somebody has to agree upon what the rules are going to be, what the new kickoff rule is going to be, for example, right? That type of collaboration is generally speaking allowed under the antitrust laws. It’s when you’d use that position, and combine that with sort of monopoly, if you will, that the NFL has over its product to extract unreasonable profits. That’s when you start running into trouble. And the key here was that consumer choice was definitely being constrained by this artificial construct.
Simone Del Rosario: Let’s talk about consumer choice. I know this isn’t really a legal question. It’s definitely more of a business question. But do you think if the NFL were to pitch this product by individual teams, I get to pay for just the Chargers. I get to watch every chargers game from wherever in the country I am. Don’t you think that would be a very, very popular product.
Nellie Drew: It is. But the challenge then is, what does that do to the broadcast partners? And that’s their bread and butter they’re trying to protect there, right? I mean they have this… It’s greed, right? They wanted to use the Sunday Ticket to extract an extra little bit, but in the process, they know that they have to protect their broadcast partners. Because, you know, my kids in Boston aren’t watching the Patriots. They’re watching the bills, if they can get them right? And so that’s the challenge.
Simone Del Rosario: All right. Thank you so much. Nelly Drew, professor of practice and sports law, really appreciate your insight on this. I know a lot of football fans are watching this one.
Nellie Drew: We are. Thank you so much.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
NFL must pay $4.7bn in damages after Sunday Ticket broadcast lawsuit
Click to see story on The GuardianJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The IndependentJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsJury rules NFL must pay more than $4 billion to ‘Sunday Ticket’ subscribers
Click to see story on USA TodayJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc NewsNFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on CNNNFL ordered to pay $5 billion in Sunday Ticket lawsuit
Click to see story on The Washington PostNFL ordered to pay $4.7B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case
Click to see story on ESPNNFL ordered to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesNFL Socked With $4.7 Billion-Plus Verdict in Sunday Ticket Case, League to Appeal Decision
Click to see story on VarietyNFL Hit With About $4.7 Billion Damages in Sunday Ticket Trial
Click to see story on BloombergJury orders NFL to pay billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on nprJury Sides Against NFL in Sunday Ticket Lawsuit; League Could Owe $4 Billion
Click to see story on Sports IllustratedJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Coast ReporterJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Star TribuneNFL hit with $4.8 billion in damages over ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on NBC NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 6 PhiladelphiaJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 13 HoustonJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc11 RaleighJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc30 NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Koco News5Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on News & RecordNFL violated antitrust laws and must pay nearly $4.7 billion in damages, jury rules
Click to see story on PBS NewsHourJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
Click to see story on WSVNNFL ordered to pay billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case. Here’s how much
Click to see story on NBC New YorkJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Seattle TimesNFL ordered to pay $4.8B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on Vernon Morning StarJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Orlando SentinelJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WCSHJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesNFL Ordered to Pay $4.7B in Damages in Sunday Ticket Antitrust Trial
Click to see story on BleacherreportAlert: Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Seattle PiJury orders NFL to pay nearly US$4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on CTV NewsNFL ordered to pay nearly $7.8b in antitrust lawsuit
Click to see story on NZ HeraldNFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on KRDONFL hit with jury verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial that could reach $14.1 billion
Click to see story on KIFIJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on CNBCJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KVIANFL ordered to pay nearly $5B in Sunday Ticket antitrust case
Click to see story on The HillJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Winnipeg Free PressNFL Ordered to Pay Billions in ‘Sunday Ticket’ Antitrust Trial
Click to see story on NewsweekJury Hits NFL With $4.7 Billion In Damages In ‘Sunday Ticket’ Legal Fight
Click to see story on DeadlineJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsNFL Hit With $4.7 Billion Damages in Sunday Ticket Trial
Click to see story on Live MintJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Pioneer PressJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KCRA 3Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 ChicagoJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case
Click to see story on Spectrum NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Portland Press HeraldJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 LAJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on abc 7 NYJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WCVBJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WLWTJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WMURJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Wral NewsJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WLKYJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WESHJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KETVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WDSUJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WTAEJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WYFFJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KCCINFL hit with $4.7 billion verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on WTVBJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KMBCJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KOB 4Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WISNJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WBAL-TVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WPTZJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WMTWJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WVTMJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WAPTJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KOATJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on 9NEWS DenverJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WFAA 8abcJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WPBFJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WGALNFL to Challenge Massive Verdict in Favor of ‘Sunday Ticket’ Subscribers
Click to see story on Times of San DiegoJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WXIIJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KFOR-TVJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Daily FreemanJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Chico Enterprise-RecordJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KSBWJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WKYCJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on WBIRJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on WJCLJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Krem2 NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on KHBSJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Scripps NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Santa Cruz SentinelJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Times-StandardJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The ReporterJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Red Bluff Daily NewsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on The Times HeraldJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on KYTXNFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust lawsuit
Click to see story on New York PostJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Boston HeraldJury slaps NFL with nearly $4.8 billion in damages over antitrust case, league vows to appeal
Click to see story on Just the NewsNFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in damages in ‘Sunday Ticket’ lawsuit
Click to see story on Marietta Daily JournalNFL ordered to pay $4.7B after losing Sunday Ticket antitrust trial (NYSE:T)
Click to see story on Seeking AlphaNFL hit with $4.7B verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on New Hampshire Union LeaderNFL to pay $4 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case, jury rules
Click to see story on Fox BusinessJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Daily PressJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Odessa AmericanRight
Untracked Bias
Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on SportsnetJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on My Mother LodeJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewNFL ordered to pay over $4.7 billion to customers after jury rules against them in Sunday Ticket case
Click to see story on WBRZJury Orders NFL To Pay Nearly $4.8 Billion In ‘Sunday Ticket’ Case For Violating Antitrust Laws – WCCB Charlotte’s CW
Click to see story on WCCB CharlotteNFL ordered to pay $4.8B in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust case
Click to see story on Today In BCJury Rules NFL Owes $4 Billion In Sunday Ticket Antitrust Case
Click to see story on RAWCHILINFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in damages in ‘Sunday Ticket’ lawsuit
Click to see story on Field Level MediaAlert: Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, awards nearly $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Jacksonville Journal-CourierJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on NXSTNFL hit with $4.7 billion verdict in ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial
Click to see story on Blue Water Healthy LivingJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on MOR-TVJury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case and awards $4.7 billion in damages
Click to see story on Nashoba Valley VoiceJury Orders NFL to Pay $4.7 Billion in Sunday Ticket Case
Click to see story on Front Office SportsJury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case for violating antitrust laws
Click to see story on thealbertan.comNFL Loses Sunday Ticket Case, Ordered To Pay $4.7 Billion
Click to see story on NextTVVOTE WITH THE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACTS.™
We promise you context and clarity when it matters the most!
Straight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
MOST POPULAR
-
Earthquake in Iran fuels online speculation of nuclear testing
Read9 hrs ago -
Headlines compared: Kamala Harris’ multiple answers to ‘60 Minutes’ question
Watch 3:369 hrs ago -
What the ‘Waffle House Index’ is telling us about Hurricane Milton
Watch 2:3614 hrs ago -
Deadspin loses effort to get defamation lawsuit over blackface article tossed
Watch 2:1614 hrs ago