Jury orders NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in 'Sunday Ticket' case for violating antitrust laws

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury in U.S. District Court ordered the NFL to pay nearly $4.8 billion in damages Thursday after ruling that the league violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service.

The jury awarded $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and $96 million in damages to the commercial class. Since damages can be tripled under federal antitrust laws, the NFL could end up being liable for $14.39 billion.

The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses in the United States who paid for the package of out-of-market games from the 2011 through 2022 seasons on DirecTV. The lawsuit claimed the league broke antitrust laws by selling its package of Sunday games at an inflated price. The subscribers also say the league restricted competition by offering “Sunday Ticket” only on a satellite provider.

The NFL said it would appeal the verdict. That appeal would go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then possibly the Supreme Court.

Should the NFL end up paying damages, it could cost each of the 32 teams approximately $449.6 million.

“We are disappointed with the jury’s verdict today in the NFL Sunday Ticket class action lawsuit,” the league said in a statement. “We continue to believe that our media distribution strategy, which features all NFL games broadcast on free over-the-air television in the markets of the participating teams and national distribution of our most popular games, supplemented by many additional choices including RedZone, Sunday Ticket and NFL+, is by far the most fan friendly distribution model in all of sports and entertainment.

“We will certainly contest this decision as we believe that the class action claims in this case are baseless and without merit.”

The trial lasted three weeks and featured testimony from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

“Justice was done. The verdict upholds protection for the consumers in our class. It was a great day for consumers,” plaintiffs attorney Bill Carmody said.

During his closing remarks, Carmody showed an April, 2017, NFL memo that showed the league was exploring a world without “Sunday Ticket” in 2017, where cable channels would air Sunday afternoon out-of-market games not shown on Fox or CBS.

The jury of five men and three women deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching its decision.

Judge Philip S. Gutierrez is scheduled to hear post-trial motions on July 31, including the NFL’s request to have him rule in favor of the league because the judge determined the plaintiffs did not prove their case.

Payment of damages, any changes to the “Sunday Ticket” package and/or the ways the NFL carries its Sunday afternoon games would be stayed until all appeals have been concluded.

The league maintained it had the right to sell “Sunday Ticket” under its antitrust exemption for broadcasting. The plaintiffs said that only covers over-the-air broadcasts and not pay TV.

Other professional sports leagues were also keeping an eye on this case since they also offer out-of-market packages. A major difference though is that MLB, the NBA and the NHL market their packages on multiple distributors and share in the revenue per subscriber instead of receiving an outright rights fee.

DirecTV had “Sunday Ticket” from its inception in 1994 through 2022. The league signed a seven-year deal with Google’s YouTube TV that began with the 2023 season.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2015 by the Mucky Duck sports bar in San Francisco but was dismissed in 2017. Two years later, the 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over California and eight other states, reinstated the case. Gutierrez ruled last year the case could proceed as a class action.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell arrives at federal court Monday, June 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. Goodell is expected to testify as a class-action lawsuit filed by "Sunday Ticket" subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, right, leaves at federal court Monday, June 17, 2024, in Los Angeles. Goodell reiterated during testimony in federal court Monday that the league's "Sunday Ticket" package, the subject of a class-action lawsuit, is a premium product while also defending the league's broadcast model. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Documents to support Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' testimony are wheeled into federal court Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. Jones is testifying in a class-action lawsuit filed by "Sunday Ticket" subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones arrives at federal court Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. Jones is testifying in a class-action lawsuit filed by "Sunday Ticket" subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus arrives at federal court Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Los Angeles. McManus is testifying in a class-action lawsuit filed by "Sunday Ticket" subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

SEATTLE (AP) — Albert Rusnák netted two goals on second-half penalty kicks, scoring the winner in stoppage time to rally the Seattle Sounders to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Chicago (4-10-6) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute and took it into halftime on a goal by Maren Haile-Selassie. Gastón Giménez earned his second assist of the season on Haile-Selassie's fourth goal.

The Sounders (7-7-7) pulled even early in the second half when Rusnák, who had just one goal this season entering play, scored in the 57th minute. The PK was set up when Paul Rothrock, who subbed in for Alex Roldan to begin the second half, drew a foul on Chicago's Jonathan Dean following a video review.

Rusnák's winner came in the third minute of stoppage time on a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the net. Jordan Morris drew a foul on the Fire's Mauricio Pineda to earn the PK.

Stefan Frei finished with three saves through 10 minutes of stoppage in goal for the Sounders. Chris Brady saved four shots for the Fire. Both keepers had one save in the first half.

The Fire beat the Sounders 1-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago in July of 2022 in the most recent matchup.

Seattle fell behind by two goals in its previous two matches before rallying for a 2-2 draw against the Dynamo in Houston and a 3-2 victory at home over FC Dallas.

The Sounders have gone 3-0-1 since losing 1-0 on the road to Sporting Kansas City to begin the month.

The Fire have lost two straight after posting victories over the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC to open June.

Chicago returns home to host the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Seattle will host the New England Revolution on Saturday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

Seattle Sounders midfielder Léo Chú volleys the ball past Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo, right, and Chicago Fire midfielder Fabian Herbers go up for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Chicago Fire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie. left, puts a shot past Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák can only watch as Chicago Fire midfielder Gastón Giménez dribbles away with the ball after a steal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting, left, and Chicago Fire defender Allan Arigoni go up for a head ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady clears the ball past Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, left, and Fire defender Mauricio Pineda during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers, front, goes up for a header with Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, celebrates with Albert Rusnák after Rusnák scored on a penalty kick against the Chicago Fire during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák scores on a penalty kick against the Chicago Fire during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)