• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey
Law

Court Sides With the NFL Again in $14 Billion Sunday Ticket Lawsuit

  • The plaintiffs will soon be able to appeal a judge’s decision that overruled a favorable jury verdict.
  • The league is hoping to avoid paying out damages or making operational changes.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With football season right around the corner, the high-profile, $14 billion NFL Sunday Ticket lawsuit that played out over the summer continues to take twists and turns in court.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Philip Gutierrez made a final judgment in favor of the NFL on all accounts, and the plaintiffs are now expected to file a motion to reconsider ahead of taking the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, a step below the Supreme Court. 

Gutierrez, on Aug. 1, had overturned a jury verdict ordering the NFL to pay $4.7 billion, which would have been tripled under antitrust law. On Monday, the plaintiffs filed an objection to the NFL’s proposed order that asked Gutierrez to terminate claims for injunctive relief. 

In simpler terms, the league didn’t want to have to make changes to how it distributes NFL Sunday Ticket, in addition to not paying out any damages. But the plaintiffs were arguing that the NFL should have to make some operational changes, even if it doesn’t pay damages. Gutierrez, who is retiring in October, has once again sided with the NFL.

Money Game

Google, which is not part of the controversial lawsuit, is entering its second season with NFL Sunday Ticket rights, at a cost of $2 billion annually.

YouTube and YouTube TV, both owned by Google, are offering more customizable multiview streaming options this season, which figures to be a popular addition among subscribers. 

The base price of Sunday Ticket increased by $30 this month, up to $379 for YouTube TV subscribers, and $479 for the à la carte option. Sunday Ticket subscriptions are also now available to purchase via the Apple App Store—but at a higher rate of $680. Apple takes a 30% cut of purchases made through its app store. 

Apple users can still choose to purchase a Sunday Ticket subscription with a Google account for the cheaper price and use the same YouTube or YouTube TV app on their Apple devices.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

OSU QB Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor Sues Ohio State As Group of Athletes Seeking NIL Back-Pay Grows

Reggie Bush, Michigan players, and NC State’s basketball team sued this year.

Savannah Bananas Plan to Bring ‘Banana Ball’ to Football Stadiums

The popular independent baseball team features a ticket waiting list of about three million.
Former Iowa basketball player Jordan Bohannon

‘Sour Grapes’: Lawyers Battle Over Landmark Settlement to Pay College Athletes

The House settlement, arguably already on the rocks, faces another objection.

FIFA’s Multibillion-Dollar Transfer Market at Risk After Court Ruling

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against FIFA.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

The FOS Interview: NBA Champion Matt Barnes

0:00

Featured Today

MLB Gets the Shohei Ohtani Postseason Treatment. The Value Is Immense

The Japanese superstar finally makes his playoff debut Saturday.
The Cal mascot, Oski
October 2, 2024

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.
October 1, 2024

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
September 30, 2024

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Shohei Ohtani

At Least Three People Claim Ownership of Ohtani 50/50 Ball in Lawsuits

Two lawsuits have been filed claiming ownership of the historic baseball.
UCLA Bruins infielder Kyle Karros (44) grabs a bouncing ground ball as Auburn Tigers take on UCLA Bruins during the NCAA regional baseball tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
September 26, 2024

UCLA Baseball Shut Out of Stadium Amid Veterans Lawsuit

UCLA leases land from the Veterans Affairs, which was recently ruled illegal.
October 2, 2024

Peloton Gets Investor Lawsuit Dismissed in District Court

The lawsuit claiming the company misled investors was dismissed.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brian Ortega of the United States (red gloves) fights Diego Lopes of Brazil (blue bloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere.
September 26, 2024

New $375 Million Settlement Deal Announced in UFC Antitrust Lawsuit

UFC has agreed to $375 million in compensation—a $40 million increase from the original deal.
Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland
September 26, 2024

Premier League’s Legal Costs Explode To $66 Million

Cases for Manchester City, Chelsea, and three others have been expensive.
September 24, 2024

Brett Favre Tells Congress He’s Been Diagnosed With Parkinson’s

The former quarterback testified about the problem of misused TANF funds.
May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan sits court side during the first quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory
September 20, 2024

Judge Dismisses Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Filed Against James Dolan

Plaintiff Kellye Croft’s legal team plans to appeal the decision.