Judge Throws Out $4.7 Billion Verdict Against NFL in 'Sunday Ticket' Case

A U.S. judge vacated a $4.7 billion verdict against the NFL, ruling in favor of the league in a lawsuit concerning alleged overcharges for 'Sunday Ticket' broadcasts. The judge found flaws in the plaintiffs' economic models and ruled that the case could not proceed legally, offering a full victory to the NFL unless an appeal changes the outcome.

The National Football League scored a significant victory on Thursday when a U.S. judge nullified a $4.7 billion jury verdict that subscribers to the 'Sunday Ticket' broadcasts had won. They claimed they had been overcharged for years.

This decision has a substantial impact on 'Sunday Ticket' subscribers and the NFL. The judge's reasoning and potential next steps are critical in understanding the case's future.

After nearly ten years of litigation, a Los Angeles jury had previously sided with the plaintiffs, accusing the NFL of conspiring with its teams to inflate 'Sunday Ticket' prices artificially. This verdict was estimated at $4.7 billion, potentially tripling to $14 billion due to U.S. antitrust law.

However, U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez vacated this decision, removing any damages and ruling the case could not proceed as a matter of law. His choice grants the NFL a total victory unless plaintiffs successfully appeal to a higher court.

The judge ruled that the economic experts supporting the plaintiffs used flawed models. Without these testimonies, determining any overcharge was not feasible. He also labeled the damages “irrational,” suggesting they were based on inadmissible evidence.

The plaintiffs now face the option to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They must prove that the judge's exclusion of the experts was a legal error. Should the case proceed, it could potentially reach the U.S. Supreme Court, extending the legal battle even further.