In a significant legal development, a U.S. District Judge has overturned a jury’s $4.7 billion verdict in the high-profile class-action lawsuit involving the NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” service. The lawsuit, brought by subscribers of the premium subscription service, had initially awarded the substantial sum to plaintiffs claiming antitrust violations by the NFL. The ruling, issued by Judge Philip Gutierrez, marks a crucial turn in the ongoing legal battle between the NFL and its subscribers.

Judge Gutierrez’s decision, rendered on Thursday, centers on the flawed methodologies presented by two expert witnesses for the plaintiffs. According to Gutierrez, the testimonies provided by Dr. Daniel Rascher and Dr. John Zona were critically flawed and should have been excluded from consideration. The judge emphasized that the absence of these testimonies meant no reasonable jury could have established class-wide injury or damages. In his 16-page ruling, Gutierrez underscored that the flawed expert evidence undermined the basis for the initial jury’s decision.

The class-action lawsuit, filed by both residential and commercial subscribers, had accused the NFL of violating antitrust laws through its exclusive distribution of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. This premium service, available through DirecTV, covered a significant period from the 2011 to 2022 NFL seasons. The jury had initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on June 27, awarding $4.7 billion in damages—$4.6 billion for residential subscribers and nearly $97 million for commercial subscribers.

Given that damages under federal antitrust laws can be tripled, the NFL faced potential liability exceeding $14 billion. However, the recent judicial reversal means this substantial financial burden is now lifted. The NFL expressed relief and satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing its commitment to offering a variety of viewing options for fans, including local broadcasts of every game on free over-the-air television. The NFL’s statement, provided to CBS News, also highlighted anticipation for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.

This case has seen multiple legal twists since its inception in 2015. Previously, in 2017, Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell had dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that “Sunday Ticket” did not negatively impact the overall output of NFL games and that any inflated pricing by DirecTV did not inherently harm competition. However, this decision was later overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which reinstated the lawsuit.

As the legal proceedings continue, it remains likely that the plaintiffs will appeal the recent ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Focus Keywords: NFL Sunday Ticket lawsuit, $4.7 billion verdict overturned, antitrust case NFL, Judge Philip Gutierrez ruling