The very same U.S. Supreme Court that started the week of the Independence Day holiday by restoring monarchical rule to American soil could be set to hit NFL fans in the wallet. SCOTUS is expected to eventually hear the Sunday Ticket case after the NFL appeals last week’s jury verdict to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
A jury found the NFL violated anti-trust laws
A jury found the NFL had violated antitrust laws on its Sunday Ticket subscription service with Direct TV and ruled it was liable for approximately $4.7 billion in damages. Because it was an anti-trust case, that number would triple to $14.3 billion. The payout for fans eligible to receive payment for damages in the suit is estimated to be between $1,900 and $5000.
NFL fans shouldn’t plan to spend that money anytime soon.
Judge Philip Gutierrez, who had issues with the prosecution during the trial, still has to render his judgment on the verdict on July 31. He could disregard the jury’s verdict or issue a different amount for the NFL to pay.
The league said last week that they plan to appeal the verdict if Guitierrez allows the jury’s verdict to prevail. The case is likely to be finally decided by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule against NFL fans
Mike Florio with NBC Sports explained why the NFL is expected to win the case if it goes in front of SCOTUS:
“And it’s becoming more and more clear that the supposedly apolitical Supreme Court has become more and more overtly political.
It’s all about judicial philosophy shaped by political ideologies. And this isn’t a political opinion. It’s a political fact.
I lived it for 19 years, both at law firms that defend corporate interests against claims made by individuals and practicing on my own, representing individuals who had legal claims against corporate interests.
In the federal court system, it goes like this: Judges appointed by Republican presidents generally tend to have legal and political beliefs that support business interests, and judges appointed by Democratic presidents generally tend to have legal and political beliefs that support individual interests.”
SCOTUS has six judges that skew conservative versus three liberal. Because of the conservative bias, the NFL is expected to win the case in a 6-3 decision (overruling a jury’s unanimous decision). The NFL would not have to pay fans if they win the case.
It’s unfortunate SCOTUS is in such a state that we already know the outcome before it’s argued in court. In this case, it could cost fans thousands.
Related: Jerry Jones and Roger Goodell testify in Sunday Ticket trial
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