Title: NFL Hit with $4.7 Billion Verdict in Antitrust Lawsuit Over DirecTV's Sunday Ticket Package

In a groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit, the NFL has been slapped with a staggering $4.7 billion verdict. The class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of residential and commercial customers who subscribed to the NFL's Sunday Ticket package on DirecTV from 2011 to 2022, accused the league and its teams of colluding to grant DirecTV an illegal monopoly on out-of-market games until YouTube took over the rights starting in 2023.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2015 by Mucky Duck sports bar, alleged that the NFL's exclusive partnership with DirecTV inflated the price of the Sunday Ticket package and forced viewers to pay for games even when their preferred team was not playing. The plaintiffs argued that other sports leagues distributed live, out-of-market games through multiple providers, rather than having just one exclusive partner like the NFL.

During the trial, evidence was presented that revealed the NFL had turned down bids for the package that could have made it cheaper, more flexible, and accessible to a larger number of customers. An email from the NFL's chief media and business officer revealed that ESPN had proposed offering Sunday Ticket for a significantly lower price of $70 per year and allowing fans to purchase a package for just their favorite team.

After three weeks of trial, the jury deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching a decision. According to ESPN, the jury awarded $96 million in damages to the bars and restaurants affected by the monopolistic practices and an astonishing $4.7 billion to customers who had subscribed to the Sunday Ticket package. This verdict, if upheld, could potentially be tripled under federal law.

In response to the verdict, the NFL has stated that it will appeal the decision. However, there is still a possibility that US District Court Judge Philip S. Gutierrez, who initially dismissed the case in 2019 but later permitted it to proceed as a class action, could overturn the verdict. Post-trial motions are scheduled for a hearing on July 31st.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the future distribution of live, out-of-market games in the sports broadcasting industry. If the verdict is upheld, it would serve as a powerful rebuke to leagues and exclusive partners, opening the door for more competitive and consumer-friendly options for fans across the country.