The NFL has been embroiled in an anti-trust lawsuit regarding the price of its annual service known as “Sunday Ticket.” The lawsuit alleged that the league had kept the price of the service too high and had colluded with networks like FOX and CBS to maintain high ratings for locally televised games. Initially, a jury ruled in favor of the class-action lawsuit, with the reported payout to businesses and consumers totaling around $4.7 billion, potentially increasing to $12 billion based on the anti-trust laws violations.
Following the jury’s decision, the NFL appealed the ruling, leading to a new trial. Notable figures within the league such as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell testified on the pricing of “Sunday Ticket.” After much deliberation, a federal judge overturned the initial verdict, favoring the NFL. The news of the overturned decision was reported by business reporter Daniel Kaplan and Front Office Sports. Consequently, the NFL will not have to pay billions of dollars to those who purchased “Sunday Ticket.”
Despite the lawsuit’s claims that the NFL deliberately kept the price of “Sunday Ticket” too high, the league maintained that it was a premium product, justifying its high cost. NFL lawyer Beth Wilkinson argued that the case was about choice and emphasized the importance of making the service available to as many fans as possible. Although more appeals are expected, “Sunday Ticket” will likely remain at its current price through the 2024 season. One significant change resulting from the lawsuit is the availability of the service via streaming platforms, such as UPshow and EverPass, which will allow bars, restaurants, and patrons to stream “Sunday Ticket” without the need for a YouTubeTV subscription.
The appeal process for the lawsuit is expected to continue throughout the 2024 season, with potential additional changes to the service not taking effect until 2025. Despite the overturned verdict, the legal battle over the pricing and availability of “Sunday Ticket” is likely to persist, as the NFL aims to maintain its stance on the premium nature of the service. The outcome of this lawsuit has implications for both consumers and businesses, as well as the future of sports broadcasting and streaming services. Overall, the NFL’s legal challenges regarding “Sunday Ticket” highlight the complexities and controversies surrounding the pricing and distribution of premium sports content in the modern media landscape.
