NFL Ordered to Pay $47 Billion in Antitrust Lawsuit Over Sunday Ticket Package
Jury Sides with Plaintiffs in Long-Running Case
NFL Accused of Overcharging Subscribers
A jury has ordered the National Football League (NFL) to pay more than $47 billion in damages for violating antitrust laws in connection with its Sunday Ticket package. The decision comes after a nine-year legal battle between the NFL and subscribers who alleged that the league was overcharging for the package.
The Sunday Ticket package allows subscribers to watch out-of-market NFL games. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that the NFL had a monopoly over the Sunday Ticket market and that it used its power to overcharge subscribers.
The jury agreed with the plaintiffs and found that the NFL had violated antitrust laws. The $47 billion damages award includes $96 million for commercial Sunday Ticket subscribers and $47 billion for residential subscribers.
The NFL has said that it will appeal the jury's verdict. The league maintains that it did not violate antitrust laws and that the Sunday Ticket package is fairly priced.
The lawsuit against the NFL was filed in 2014 by a group of plaintiffs that purchased the NFL's Sunday Ticket package. The lawsuit covered 24 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses who paid for the Sunday Ticket package.
The trial in the case began in January 2023. During testimony, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated that the league's Sunday Ticket package is the subject of ongoing litigation.
The jury's verdict is a major victory for the plaintiffs in the case. It remains to be seen whether the NFL will be able to successfully appeal the verdict.
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