NFL Faces Antitrust Lawsuit Over Sunday Ticket Package
The National Football League (NFL) is set to face a class-action lawsuit in federal court, with opening arguments expected to begin on June 6, 2024. The lawsuit, filed in 2015, claims that the NFL broke antitrust laws by allowing DirecTV to exclusively sell the Sunday Ticket package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games airing on CBS and Fox at an inflated price, restricting competition.
The NFL logo
The lawsuit alleges that the NFL’s deal with DirecTV, which lasted from 1994 to 2022, violated antitrust laws by limiting consumer choice and driving up prices. The NFL, on the other hand, argues that the Sunday Ticket package is an add-on for its most devoted and out-of-town fans, and that all games for local teams are available on broadcast networks.
The Sunday Ticket package
The case is significant, as it could bring to light how much YouTube is paying the NFL for the Sunday Ticket package and whether it is making a profit. Additionally, documents filed in the case could reveal how much networks spend to produce an NFL game.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a longtime member of the league’s broadcast committee, are expected to testify in the case, which could last up to three weeks.
“The lawsuit says the NFL broke antitrust laws when it allowed DirecTV to exclusively sell the Sunday Ticket package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games airing on CBS and Fox at what it says was an inflated price and restricted competition.”
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the NFL and its broadcasting deals. As the league navigates the changing landscape of sports broadcasting, this lawsuit could be a major turning point.
The NFL broadcasting landscape
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
