NFL Ordered to Pay $4.7 Billion in Class-Action Sunday Ticket Antitrust Case, Potentially $14 Billion

Jun 27, 2024, 08:24 PM

The National Football League (NFL) has been ordered to pay approximately $4.7 billion in damages after losing a class-action jury trial over anticompetitive features of its Sunday Ticket broadcast package. The lawsuit, filed by Sunday Ticket subscribers nine years ago, accused the NFL of breaking antitrust laws by allowing DirecTV to exclusively sell the package at high prices. The damages awarded include $96 million to commercial establishments and $4 billion to residential subscribers. Under federal antitrust law, these damages could be tripled, potentially increasing the total to $14 billion. The trial, held in federal court, could see further appeals to the 9th Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court. The NFL has stated it will appeal the decision.