Judge Overturns $4.7 Billion Verdict Against NFL in Sunday Ticket Overcharge Case

A U.S. judge in California overturned a $4.7 billion verdict against the NFL, which was accused of overcharging subscribers for its Sunday Ticket telecasts. The judge cited lack of sufficient evidence and defects in the case. Antitrust laws could have tripled the damages, potentially increasing the verdict to $14 billion.

A U.S. judge in California on Thursday dismissed a $4.7 billion verdict against the National Football League (NFL) over allegations of overcharging Sunday Ticket subscribers. The lawsuit claimed that the NFL limited subscription options to protect broadcast networks' fees.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, based in Los Angeles, followed the NFL's arguments that the verdict was a result of a 'runaway' jury and was not supported by evidence. The NFL welcomed the decision, stating that their media distribution model offers fans a variety of options.

The judge's 16-page order dismissed testimony from two key witnesses for the plaintiffs. He found the jury's damages assessment unsupported by the evidence, making the case too flawed to continue. While the verdict allowed for potential tripling under antitrust laws, escalating it to $14 billion, this judgment may be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.