The NFL was condemned on Thursday for agreeing with several broadcast stations to set high subscription prices for one of its flagship programs.
After being found guilty of abuse of dominant position by a jury following a federal trial, the NFL will have to pay about $4.7 billion in damages, according to several US media outlets.
In 2015, the owners of the Mucky Duck bar in San Francisco sued the NFL for its administration of the “Sunday Ticket” program, which, in exchange for a subscription, allows viewing of all games not involving the local team(s).
They criticized the American Football League for exploiting its monopoly to set unjustified prices, in agreement with CBS and Fox, which broadcast matches over the air, and the DirecTV satellite package, which holds Sunday rights. . a ticket”.
The procedure was reclassified into a collective action for the benefit of 2.4 million participants and 48,000 commercial establishments.
Thursday's ruling could threaten the NFL's $14 billion, seven-year contract with current “Sunday Ticket” broadcaster YouTube, which acquired DirecTV last year.
The association announced its intention to appeal this decision in court.
The parties can appeal, which will be heard by federal judge Felipe Gutierrez in late July. The judge must then decide whether to affirm, overturn or modify the ruling.
If confirmed, federal law would require the damages to be tripled, which would bring the amount owed by the NFL to $14 billion.
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