Sunday Ticket Antitrust Case Heads to June 2024 Trial with $6 Billion at Stake

In a legal battle that could reshape the way the National Football League (NFL) packages its games, a class-action lawsuit targeting the NFL’s Sunday Ticket is set to go to trial in June, with potential damages exceeding a staggering $6 billion.

The lawsuit, which alleges antitrust violations, centers around the NFL’s distribution model for its Sunday Ticket package. Historically, the package, which allows fans to watch out-of-market games, has required consumers to purchase the entire season, covering every team and every week, with no option for a smaller, more tailored package. The core argument is that the league, in collaboration with its Sunday Ticket provider (previously DirecTV), has created a “premium product” that forces fans to pay for content they may not want or need.

This legal challenge gained traction as the presiding judge recently rejected the NFL’s attempt to dismiss the case through summary judgment. The league’s motion argued that there was nothing for a jury to resolve, a common strategy used by corporate defendants to avoid facing a jury trial. The judge’s decision to proceed to trial has now set the stage for a potentially landmark legal showdown.

Read more: NFL’s Exclusive Streaming of Playoff Game Raises Antitrust Concerns

Originally scheduled for February 22, the trial has been delayed to June. If the NFL loses the case, the damages could be substantial, reaching a staggering $6 billion—equivalent to the recent sale price of the Washington Commanders.

The heart of the matter lies in the alleged creation of a monopoly by the Sunday Ticket provider and a purported conspiracy to maintain it. Critics argue that the inability to purchase a smaller package, such as games featuring a specific out-of-market team, forces consumers into an unfair and costly arrangement.

Notably, the Sunday Ticket package has been heavily marketed to fans residing in one market but wishing to watch a team from a different market. For example, if a Pittsburgh resident wants to watch all Green Bay Packers games, they are obligated to pay the full price for the entire package, encompassing every team and every game throughout the season.

As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome may have significant implications for how the NFL structures and markets its premium content. The trial will undoubtedly be closely watched by sports industry stakeholders, legal experts, and football enthusiasts eager to see if the Sunday Ticket’s long-standing approach will withstand legal scrutiny or if a seismic shift is on the horizon.

Source: NBC Sports