The NFL, a global sports powerhouse that generated nearly $20 billion in revenue last season, is now facing a significant challenge. In a rare and powerful legal move, an antitrust class action lawsuit has been launched against the league in federal court. This development has stirred up a wave of dissatisfaction among fans, particularly in light of the NFL’s recent TV contracts with streaming services.
The lawsuit claims that the NFL worked with DirecTV, CBS, and Fox to increase the price of Sunday Ticket, a package designed to offer every out-of-market regular-season Sunday game. The NFL could be subject to a $21 billion settlement since antitrust law requires damages to be tripled ($7 billion in this case). While the antitrust lawsuit had its opening statements on Thursday, NFL fans also took shots at the league via social media.
Antitrust Lawsuit Regarding ‘Sunday Ticket’
“The case is about choice,” said NFL representative Beth Wilkinson to a jury on Thursday during the beginning of an antitrust lawsuit between the league and a group of their ‘Sunday Ticket’ viewers. “This is a valuable, premium product (‘Sunday Ticket’). Think about all the choices available to fans. We want as many people as possible to watch the free broadcasts.” The league believes their TV package, designed to provide out-of-market games, is a premium product, thus subject to a high price mark.
The Sunday Ticket trial has started. The league could lose up to $21 billion. The fans could win the ability to see out-of-market games for a lot less money than the Sunday Ticket package currently costs. https://t.co/EUtmPMenC7
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 7, 2024
Initially filed in 2015, the lawsuit has seen the league sidestep damages the entire way. However, it is now in the crosshairs of an antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit states that the NFL broke antitrust when DirecTV was given the right 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,” per Joe Reedy of AP News.
Amanda Bonn, the legal representative of the ‘Sunday Ticket’ group (2.45 million commercial and residential subscribers), says, “The National Football League, Fox, CBS, and DirecTV agreed to make an expensive toll road that very few people would be able to afford. Every single competitor in this scheme benefited.” DirecTV no longer holds the rights to sell out-of-market games, with YouTube TV entering the second year of its seven-year deal. Also, according to Reedy, league Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will testify.
NFL Fans React: League’s Ever-Changing TV Deal
Arguably, the biggest complaint among National Football League fans in recent memory remains the fluidity of the league’s viewing experience. Last season, the league presented a playoff game on Peacock, resulting in harsh criticism by fans. NFL fans have also taken exception to the league adding a game on Netflix for the 2024 campaign. With fewer games on traditional cable and more premium matchups leaking into numerous streaming services, NFL fans have let their voices be heard via social media. Most fans responded negatively to the league, with an antitrust class lawsuit against the league starting on Thursday. Additionally, despite more games heading to streaming services, YouTube TV’s out-of-market regular season package costs more than its predecessor, DirecTV.
Why can’t they have a package deal for all games for one specific team? Idgaf about the other 31 teams
— P (@EffYewSeaKayer) June 7, 2024
It's been a highway robbery for years.
— Cassie May (@MayflowDigital) June 7, 2024
The NFL wouldn't want me (or anyone else in the media) to say this, but all fans should be on #TeamMuckyDuck for this trial. The full Sunday Ticket package will become cheaper if the NFL loses, and fans quite possibly will be able to get Sunday Ticket on a team-by-team basis. https://t.co/oqxivtfkYF
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 7, 2024
They will just cease operations and draw out a lengthy appeal and subsequent settlement. The NFL doesn’t care about anything but money and if it’s a cost they just cut it.
— Slade Bivins (@SladeBivins) June 7, 2024
This 21 Billion dollar NFL SUNDAY TICKET ANTITRUST CLASS ACTION lawsuit could break the NFL. Any kind of settlement deal would likely lead to compensation for the fans. In a nutshell, is a direct challenge to the league's lucrative media rights deals. It’s heading for trial.
— Troy (Moose) Bengals & Things 🐅 (@moose196850) June 5, 2024
An attorney for NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers told a jury during opening statements of an antitrust suit that secret documents will prove the NFL engaged in anticompetitive behavior and the trial would reveal the "darker side of the NFL behind the shield." https://t.co/Y4ZDc5bqLf pic.twitter.com/FxSz4nGKQw
— Law360 (@Law360) June 7, 2024
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