The National Football League (NFL) is gearing up for a legal battle over its popular Sunday Ticket subscription service, which allows fans to watch out-of-market games. The league is facing a potential damages toll of over $14 billion in response to a recent court ruling.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that the league plans to fight the ruling, which ordered the NFL to pay $4.7 billion in damages to residential class members and $96 million to commercial class members. The jury found that the NFL violated antitrust laws by offering Sunday Ticket, which gives fans access to games that are not available on local television.
Under federal antitrust laws, damages can triple, leading to the staggering $14.39 billion figure that the NFL could be on the hook for. Goodell has stated that the league is committed to following the litigation process and ensuring that they get it right.
In a recent interview, Goodell emphasized the NFL’s commitment to making games available to the widest possible audience. He also noted that the league has strong relationships with its television partners, despite the massive media rights deals being struck by other sports leagues.
Interestingly, Goodell also hinted at the possibility of allowing private equity ownership in NFL franchises. This move could potentially open up new avenues for investment in the league and its teams.
Overall, the NFL is facing a significant legal and financial challenge with the Sunday Ticket lawsuit. It remains to be seen how the league will navigate this issue and what the implications will be for football fans and the future of the NFL.
