After a jury ruled Thursday that the NFL violated federal antitrust laws with its Sunday Ticket service, the Indianapolis Colts may end up sharing the financial burden.
According to ESPN, the jury found that the league’s method of selling NFL Sunday Ticket breached antitrust laws. They awarded $4.7 billion in residential class damages and $96 million in commercial class damages.
Due to federal antitrust laws allowing for damages to be tripled, the NFL could be liable for up to $14.39 billion. The league plans to appeal, but if they have to pay, this amount will be distributed among all 32 teams, potentially leaving the Colts with a $450 million bill.
The lawsuit originated from DirecTV being the exclusive provider for out-of-market NFL games from 2011-2022, allegedly selling the service at inflated prices. Covering 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses in the U.S., the lawsuit claimed the league violated antitrust laws by offering “Sunday Ticket” only through a satellite provider, thus inflating prices and restricting competition.
In response, the NFL expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to appeal, asserting that their media distribution strategy is the most fan-friendly model in sports and entertainment. They maintain that the class action claims are baseless and without merit.
NFL fans should watch this situation closely, as significant changes to the Sunday Ticket service could occur if the league’s appeal fails.
