The NFL took a big loss in court this week. A jury found the league broke antitrust laws by selling their “Sunday Ticket” package only on DirecTV and at an inflated price to preserve local ratings for games on FOX and CBS.
The total verdict puts the NFL on the hook for $4.8 billion in damages, split between the residential class ($4.696 billion) and commercial class ($97 million; bars, restaurants, etc.). Under anti-trust law that $4.696 billion figure gets tripled to $14.088 billion.
The NFL is of course fighting the verdict. A post-trial motions hearing conducted by Judge Philip Gutierrez is scheduled for July 31. The damages could be reduced, or the entire verdict could be thrown out. Overall, the legal process is not over as the NFL fights a substantial (to put it mildly) payout.
