NFL Hit with Monumental $4.8 Billion Fine Over “Sunday Ticket” Antitrust Violations
LOS ANGELES — A U.S. District Court jury has ordered the National Football League to pay a staggering $4.8 billion in damages, concluding that the NFL’s distribution of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games via DirecTV constituted a violation of federal antitrust laws. The decision, rendered on Thursday, may shake the foundations of sports broadcasting rights in the United States. The substantial damages awarded include $4.7 billion allocated to residential subscribers and an additional $96 million for commercial subscribers, such as bars and restaurants. Under antitrust regulations, these figures could be tripled, potentially increasing the NFL’s financial … Read more