Closing arguments starting in class-action lawsuit against NFL by 'Sunday Ticket' subscribers
Closing arguments will take place Wednesday in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust law
LOS ANGELES — The jury in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers will receive instructions and hear closing arguments on Wednesday before beginning deliberations.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez will issue jury instructions and the plaintiffs will give their final statement during the morning session. Following lunch, the NFL will give its final remarks. Each side will get 1 hour, 10 minutes to make statements with the plaintiffs getting an additional 20 minutes for rebuttal.
The lawsuit began on June 6 and featured 10 days of testimony from economists and league executives, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Gutierrez turned downs plaintiffs' motion to rule for them as matter of law on Tuesday morning. He tabled the NFL's motion until after the verdict.
That means even if a jury rules for the plaintiffs, Gutierrez could still rule in favor of the NFL and say the plaintiffs did not prove their case.
Gutierrez brought up that possibility last week when he said “I’m struggling with the plaintiffs’ case” while hearing motions from both sides.
The lawsuit covers 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses who paid for the package of out-of-market games from the 2011 through 2022 seasons on DirecTV. It claims the league broke antitrust laws by selling its package of Sunday games aired on CBS and Fox at an inflated price. The subscribers also say the league restricted competition by offering “Sunday Ticket” only on a satellite provider.
The league maintains it has the right to sell “Sunday Ticket”
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