A California judge overturned a jury’s verdict that ordered the NFL to pay over $4.7 billion for anti-trust violations related to its “Sunday Ticket” package. This package allows fans to watch games outside of their home markets but required them to purchase access to a bundle of games. The NFL, as America’s most popular source of television programming, plans to appeal the verdict. The league issued a statement expressing gratitude for the ruling and defending its media distribution model, which provides fans with various options to follow the game they love, including local broadcasts available on free over-the-air television.
US District Judge Philip Gutierrez, in a court filing, raised concerns about the expert witnesses and their flawed methodologies used in the trial. The judge stated that the testimonies of Dr. Rascher and Dr. Zona should be excluded, as there was no other support for the class-wide injury and damages elements of the plaintiffs’ claims. Ultimately, the judge found that the damages awarded by the jury were not based on evidence and reasonable inferences but rather on guesswork or speculation. This led to a judgment as a matter of law in favor of the defendants.
The case was initially filed in 2015 and centered on the NFL’s package of out-of-market games that are not nationally broadcast on other networks. The plaintiffs in the class action suit argued that the NFL’s restriction of these games to the “Sunday Ticket” package forces customers who only want to watch one team or a small group of teams to pay more. The plaintiffs’ attorneys contended that each team could offer their games at a competitive price through internet streaming or satellite and cable television, but instead, the teams opted for a more lucrative monopoly by joining the NFL’s package.
Due to the case’s anti-trust nature, the damages would have been tripled if upheld, resulting in the NFL owing $14.1 billion. CNN’s Chris Isidore contributed to the report, and the story has been updated with additional context. In conclusion, the judge’s decision to overturn the jury’s verdict highlights the complexity and challenges of anti-trust cases within the sports industry, as well as the importance of expert testimony and evidence in legal proceedings involving substantial financial implications.
