Jury deliberations have started in the “NFL Sunday Ticket” trial in Los Angeles federal court. The defense team from Wilkinson Stekloff argued that the plaintiffs do not have a valid reason to file a class action lawsuit against the NFL for increasing the price of its “Sunday Ticket” streaming package because it is considered a high-quality service. The original complaint was filed back in 2015 and alleged that the NFL worked with DirecTV to keep a monopoly on professional football broadcasting by offering the exclusive Sunday Ticket service. This service allows fans to watch out-of-market games produced by Fox and CBS that are not available on local channels. DirecTV had been distributing Sunday Ticket since 1994 until it was bought by YouTube TV in 2023.
The case revolves around whether the NFL and DirecTV unfairly restricted fans’ access to out-of-market games by making them only available through the Sunday Ticket service. The plaintiffs argue that this practice inflated prices and limited consumer choice. The defense, on the other hand, maintains that the Sunday Ticket package is a premium service that provides unique content not found elsewhere.
During the closing arguments, both sides presented their final statements and evidence to the jury for consideration. The jury will now have to weigh the arguments and evidence presented throughout the trial to reach a verdict. This decision will have significant implications for how professional football games are broadcasted and accessed by fans in the future.
The outcome of this trial could potentially impact not only the NFL and DirecTV but also other sports leagues and their broadcasting partnerships. The case raises important questions about competition, consumer choice, and the role of exclusive content in the digital streaming age. It will be interesting to see how the jury deliberations unfold and what verdict they ultimately reach. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the trial progresses.