The NFL just got tackled for a major loss. Astonishingly, Jerry Jones might be the one to recover this fumble. In a jaw-dropping verdict, a federal jury hit the league with a $4 billion penalty in the Sunday Ticket antitrust trial. Thanks to federal antitrust laws, that number balloons to a staggering $12 billion. Talk about moving the goalposts!
This legal blitz came after subscribers cried foul on the NFL’s Sunday Ticket game plan. The plaintiffs argued the league was running a trick play, forcing fans to buy the whole package when they just wanted to watch their favorite team. It’s like being told you have to buy every jersey in the pro shop just to get your hands on a Cowboys cap.
As reported by Spotrac on X, “The #NFL has been ordered to pay 96 million in commercial class damages & 4 BILLION in residential class damages per today’s guilty verdict in the Sunday Ticket antitrust trial.” They added, “By federal antitrust law, that 4 billion becomes 12 billion in actuality.”
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Now, for those wondering how this could be a game-changer for America’s Team and Jerry Jones, the answer is if the verdict stands, it could rewrite the playbook for NFL broadcasting rights. Mark Schofield, writing for SB Nation, painted a picture of what this might look like: “Beyond the dollar amount, which will drive the headlines, many analysts and experts theorize that this decision paves the way for single-team packages.”
There is hardly anyone who is unaware of the impact America’s Team holds on jersey sales and tickets bought for games at AT&T Stadium, but their real prowess is when it comes to Television. This means that the theory put forth by Mark Schofield could significantly impact the Cowboys the most. While the analyst took the example of the New England Patriots fan living in Baltimore “having theoretically access to a “Patriots Package” as part of “Sunday Ticket,” the Cowboys who rule the viewership will have most fans buying these and thus skyrocketing financial games for Jones and Co., hypothetically.
While the Cowboys are likely to benefit the most from this deal through their popularity if the verdict is put into action, the NFL isn’t willing to back down easily. They are plausibly to stand against the decision.
The NFL is not ready to give up as fans are likely to benefit if the decision holds up
Let us further break down these possible single-team packages. If the court’s decision holds up, we might see a whole new ballgame in how we watch our favorite teams. Picture being able to snag just the Cowboys games without having to pay for the entire league. It’s like getting to call your own plays in the NFL viewing experience.
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USA Today via Reuters Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
However, before you start preparing for your own Cowboys watch parties, it is important to look at the figures. Joe Pompliano ran some numbers and estimated that after lawyers’ commissions, there may be around $8.97 billion for sharing among 2.4 million residential subscribers. That would add up to about $3,737 per subscriber, or a yearly amount of $340 for each year of subscription. That’s quite a return on investment if you’re a disgruntled fan.
Still, it’s not just about fattening fans’ wallets; it’s about giving them what they want when they want it As William C. Carmody, one of the attorneys who sacked the NFL in court, put it: “Justice was done. It was a great day for consumers everywhere.” However, the NFL isn’t backing down either.
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The league is planning to file an appeal for the decision. As stated by NFL spokesperson Alex Riethmiller they’ll “certainly contest this decision,” insisting their current setup is “by far the most fan-friendly distribution model in all of sports and entertainment.”
While waiting for the next snap, one thing is absolutely clear; Jerry Jones and his Cowboys are definitely well-positioned in terms of field position. If this verdict holds true, they could even score touchdowns as other teams in the league still grapple with which direction their end zone is located.