The NFL is currently facing a massive antitrust lawsuit regarding its Sunday Ticket package, which has been in place since 1994. The lawsuit claims that the NFL used agreements with broadcast partners to limit distribution, allowing DirecTV to charge artificially high prices as the sole distributor for out-of-market games. The case involves millions of home viewers and commercial subscribers like bars and restaurants, seeking up to $7 billion in damages. The NFL denies any wrongdoing and characterizes the potential damages as “speculative”.
Jury selection for the case begins today in L.A., marking the start of what could be a lengthy trial. High-profile figures like Commissioner Roger Goodell and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may be called to testify, shedding light on the inner workings of the NFL that the league may prefer to keep hidden. Unlike cases settled through the NFL’s in-house justice system, the plaintiffs in this lawsuit have a real shot at justice and transparency.
The outcome of the case could reveal more about the way the NFL conducts business than the league would like. By steering legal claims to its own system, the NFL has avoided public scrutiny in the past. With the Sunday Ticket litigation, that could change. As the trial proceeds, we may all get a closer look behind the shield of one of the most powerful and influential sports organizations in the world.