Statements
The jury in the class-action lawsuit filed by "Sunday Ticket" subscribers against the NFL is set to begin deliberations on Wednesday, following the conclusion of both sides' cases on Monday.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez is scheduled to convene with attorneys for both sides on Tuesday morning to finalize jury instructions. Additionally, Gutierrez may hear a motion from the NFL on Tuesday afternoon, seeking judgment as a matter of law on the grounds that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient evidence.
Closing Arguments
On Wednesday morning, Judge Gutierrez will present final instructions to the jury, composed of five men and three women, before closing arguments commence. Both sides will receive 1 hour and 10 minutes to make their closing statements, with the plaintiffs having an additional 20 minutes reserved for rebuttal.
The NFL's final witness, Stanford economics professor B. Douglas Bernheim, concluded his testimony on Monday morning. Bernheim, who began his testimony last Thursday, reiterated the NFL's stance that selling out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS to DirecTV from 1994 to 2022, and subsequently to Google YouTube TV, benefits fans and ensures competitive balance on the playing field.
Rebuttal Witness
Countering Bernheim, Harvard professor Einer Elhauge, the plaintiffs' rebuttal witness, argued that no significant links exist between the league's constraints to make "Sunday Ticket" a premium package and fostering competitive balance. Elhauge testified that the approximately $62.5 million each team receives annually from "Sunday Ticket" wouldn’t significantly impact the league’s salary cap or individual teams' operating budgets.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also testified last week, stating he wouldn’t support a salary cap if he could sell his out-of-market rights independently.
Class Action Background
This class action represents 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses that purchased the out-of-market games package from the 2011 through 2022 seasons. The lawsuit alleges the NFL violated antitrust laws by selling its package of Sunday games aired on CBS and Fox at inflated prices while limiting competition by exclusively offering "Sunday Ticket" through a satellite provider.
The NFL argues that it retains the right to sell "Sunday Ticket" under its antitrust exemption for broadcasting. Conversely, the plaintiffs contend that this exemption only applies to over-the-air broadcasts, not pay TV.
Financial Implications
If the NFL is found liable, the jury could award damages of $7 billion, a figure that could triple to $21 billion due to the antitrust nature of the case.
Originally filed in 2015 by the Mucky Duck sports bar in San Francisco, the lawsuit faced initial dismissal in 2017. However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, with jurisdiction over California and eight other states, reinstated the case two years later. Judge Gutierrez sanctioned the proceeding as a class action last year.
Potential Appeals
Regardless of the decision, the losing side is expected to appeal the verdict, potentially escalating the case to the 9th Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court.
Awaiting the Verdict
The upcoming deliberations mark a critical juncture in this long-standing legal battle, casting the future of sports broadcasting and the legality of exclusive distribution deals into question. As the jury prepares to deliberate, all eyes remain focused on the courtroom, awaiting a verdict that could reshape the landscape of televised sports.
Quotes
"Both sides wrapped up their cases on Monday."
"Failed to provide sufficient evidence."
"Selling out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS to DirecTV from 1994 to 2022, and subsequently to Google YouTube TV, benefits fans and ensures competitive balance on the playing field."
"No significant links exist between the league's constraints to make 'Sunday Ticket' a premium package and fostering competitive balance."
"The roughly $62.5 million each team receives annually from 'Sunday Ticket' wouldn’t dramatically impact the league’s salary cap or individual teams' operating budgets."
"I wouldn’t support a salary cap if I could sell my out-of-market rights independently."
"This exemption only applies to over-the-air broadcasts, not pay TV."