U.S. District Court Judge Philip Gutierrez has overturned a $4.7 billion judgment awarded to plaintiffs in the NFL Sunday Ticket case, criticizing the jury’s methods for determining the damages. Gutierrez’s 16-page ruling stated that the jury’s decision appeared to be based on “guesswork or speculation” rather than on solid evidence and reasonable inferences.
The lawsuit, initially resulting in the substantial damages figure, involved 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses that had purchased the NFL Sunday Ticket package through DirecTV from 2011 to 2022. The plaintiffs alleged that the NFL violated antitrust laws by setting inflated prices for the package and limiting competition by offering it exclusively through DirecTV, a satellite provider.
Judge Gutierrez determined that the damages verdict was not supported by the evidence, leading him to vacate the original judgment. This ruling challenges the basis of the damages calculation that the jury had determined, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the evidence presented and the awarded amount.
In response to the ruling, the NFL issued a statement expressing gratitude for the court’s decision and defending its media distribution model. The league emphasized the variety of options available for fans to watch games, including local broadcasts on free television, and expressed anticipation for the upcoming NFL season.
Legal analysts, including Mike Florio, noted that while there was ample evidence to suggest an antitrust violation, the issue centered on the damages amount. The case is expected to continue through the legal system, with the plaintiffs likely to appeal the decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals due to the substantial financial implications involved.
