• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Law

NFL Declined ESPN Offer to Drastically Reduce Sunday Ticket Price

  • Plaintiffs allege the NFL illegally inflated costs and access to Sunday Ticket.
  • NFL’s chief media officer appears to be contradicting his own testimony.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Sunday Ticket lawsuit is far from over, but so far the league has been getting sacked in court. 

The case, which is taking place in Los Angeles, alleges the NFL illegally inflated the cost of Sunday Ticket and forced fans to purchase every available game instead of a select number. 

Recent testimony from the antitrust trial shows the league had no interest in cutting prices or making the viewing package more accessible to fans, despite that being part of the NFL’s public messaging.

“Our model is the best in the world,” Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s chief media and business officer, said during the trial. “We try to think about what the fan wants and get as much distribution as possible.”

According to Courthouse News Service, Apple’s 2022 bid for Sunday Ticket would have added as many as 20 million new customers to the product. The league took a pass. Apple wound up backing out of its bid in December of that year. 

According to Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s deposition, which was played in court last week, “We’re not looking to get lots of people. We want to keep it as a premium offering.”

Along those lines, ESPN proposed radically cutting the price of Sunday Ticket, to just $70 for the entire 2023 season, according to Courthouse News Service. The ESPN proposal, ultimately rejected by the league, also included single-team packages. (YouTube TV is currently offering Sunday Ticket at $349 for the 2024 season.) The NFL wasn’t interested in the ESPN proposal, according to an email from Rolapp that was shown in court.

The trial started June 7 and could go on for several more weeks. Plaintiffs, which include bars and restaurants in addition to hundreds of individuals, are seeking $7 billion in damages, which is subject to mandatory tripling, according to U.S. antitrust law, making the NFL’s bill as high as $21 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Fever and Bonner Heading for a Breakup? Here’s What We Know

The Fever are exploring options as DeWanna Bonner seeks a fresh start.
Mar 11, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center.

Wizards Acquire CJ McCollum to Set Up $100M in 2026 Cap Space

About $110 million will come off the Wizards’ books next year.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.

Tight End U Has Sponsors, Golf, and Taylor Swift. Travel Could Be..

The annual summit is hosted by Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
June 18, 2025

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Ippei Mizuhara
June 17, 2025

Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reports to Prison After Delays

Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence was supposed to begin in March.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome.
June 17, 2025

Former Chiefs Employee Sues for Racial Discrimination

Ramzee Robinson says the Chiefs paid Black employees less than white ones.
The BetMGM Sportsbook opened for business during the season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals on the Great Lawn outside of State Farm Stadium.
June 17, 2025

18th-Century Law Fuels Legal Blitz on Sports Prediction Markets

Five new lawsuits accuse Kalshi, others of offering illegal sports betting.
Tennessee wide receiver Grant Frerking (0) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.
June 13, 2025

Ex-Tennessee Football Player, On3 Staffer Accused of Financial Scams

Grant Frerking parted ways with On3 amid “allegations of criminal misconduct.”