Subscribers are arguing that a lack of competition to watch games has lead to sky high prices
The NFL has gone to great lengths to get involved in streaming with coverage on Netflix, the NFL+ app, YouTube, and Amazon Prime but now the organizations Sunday Ticket is now under fire.
Sunday Ticket subscribers have sued the NFL, DirecTV, and all 32 NFL teams, claimingthat the groups are working together to eliminate competition for places where football fans can watch out-of- market games.
The lawsuit dates back to 2015, and subscribers are arguing that the NFL worked closely with broadcasting partners to limit where and when certain games were being broadcast. In turn, it is claimed that this allowed DirecTV to hikethe prices of its Sunday Ticket offerings, as it was the only way for fans to watch out-of-market games.
In other words, fans who want to watch out-of-market games must choose either Sunday Ticket or nothing, the suit states. Plaintiffs claim that absent the allegedly anticompetitive agreements at issue, the telecasts available on Sunday Ticket would be available through other means, which would result in more access to telecasts of NFL games at lower prices.
Whos involved in the suit?
The courts have separated those involved by both residential and commercial entities for both sides of the argument:
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Residential Damages Class: All DirecTV residential subscribers that purchased NFL Sunday Ticket between June 17, 2011 and February 7, 2023.
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Commercial Damages Class: All DirecTV commercial subscribers that purchased NFL Sunday Ticket between June 17, 2011 and February 7, 2023.
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Residential Injunctive Class: All DirecTV residential subscribers that purchased NFL Sunday Ticket between June 17, 2011 and February 7, 2023.
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Commercial Injunctive Class: All DirecTV commercial subscribers that purchased NFL Sunday Ticket between June 17, 2011 and February 7, 2023.
This includes consumers who subscribed to Sunday Ticket in their homes, as well as bars and restaurants that purchased it for Sunday viewers. However, those who received the subscription for free or as part of a partnership are excluded from the suit.
The NFL maintains that there was no wrongdoing and their efforts didnt squash the opportunity for competition. The plaintiffs are calling for $7 billion in damages; however, that figure could exceed $20 billion by the end of the trial, as antitrust suits tend to end up much higher.
Currently, there is no money available, as the trial and hearing are ongoing, and more information will be made available once the trial wraps up.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-06-07 11:06:15
