The NFL is facing a significant legal battle as jury selection is set to begin in Los Angeles for a massive antitrust lawsuit related to its Sunday Ticket package. Since the package was introduced in 1994, there have been concerns about potential antitrust issues. According to Reuters.com, the lawsuit claims that the NFL used agreements with broadcast partners to limit distribution, resulting in artificially high prices charged by DirecTV as the sole distributor for out-of-market games.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include millions of home viewers and commercial subscribers such as bars and restaurants, seeking damages of up to $7 billion. The NFL has denied any wrongdoing and has called the potential damages “speculative.” Despite the denial, a jury will be selected and the trial will begin, potentially involving high-profile figures like Commissioner Roger Goodell and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones testifying.
The outcome of this lawsuit could reveal more about the NFL’s business practices than the league would like. Typically, the NFL handles legal claims in its in-house justice system, where transparency is limited. However, in this case, the plaintiffs have an opportunity to seek justice and offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the league’s operations. This trial could shed light on how much control power lies within each team owner and how it affects other teams’ performance on field.