In a striking courtroom twist, a California judge dismissed a colossal $4.7 billion verdict against the NFL, which faced accusations of overcharging Sunday Ticket subscribers for over a decade. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, sided with the NFL’s argument that the original verdict was the product of an overly zealous jury.
The NFL, in a relieved statement, emphasized its commitment to offering fans diverse viewing options for their beloved sport. However, attorneys for the plaintiffs—subscribers who claimed inflated prices and restricted access—remained silent on the ruling.
Sunday Ticket, the exclusive service for out-of-market NFL games, was at the center of the controversy. Subscribers accused the NFL of keeping prices artificially high to protect lucrative distribution deals with local broadcasters.
Judge Gutierrez’s detailed 16-page order dismantled the plaintiff’s case, notably discrediting testimony from two critical witnesses. He stated that the jury’s damages decision lacked solid evidence and identified numerous flaws that rendered the case unviable.
This decision, which can be contested in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, marks a significant victory for the NFL. Previously, a Los Angeles jury had found the league guilty of restricting Sunday Ticket availability, thus allowing DirecTV, its former exclusive distributor, to impose exorbitant fees. The verdict accounted for $4.6 billion from residential subscriptions and $96.9 million from commercial entities like bars and restaurants.
The NFL dismissed the jury’s damages as illogical, asserting no overcharging evidence was substantiated. The plaintiffs, however, accused the NFL of speculative rebuttals, insisting the jury’s deliberations were evidence-based.
Had the initial verdict held, U.S. antitrust laws could have tripled the damages, potentially escalating the total to an eye-watering $14 billion.
