NFL Hit With $4.7 Billion Verdict in Sunday Ticket Antitrust Lawsuit

Jury Finds League Conspired to Inflate Prices

NFL Plans to Contest Decision, Calling Claims "Baseless"

A jury has ordered the National Football League (NFL) to pay more than $4.7 billion for antitrust violations surrounding its Sunday Ticket package. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of residential and commercial customers, alleged that the NFL conspired to inflate the price of the package, which provides out-of-market NFL regular-season games.

The jury found that the NFL violated federal antitrust laws by using its monopoly power to force cable and satellite providers to pay inflated prices for Sunday Ticket. The jury also found that the NFL used its power to prevent other companies from competing with Sunday Ticket.

The NFL plans to contest the verdict, calling the claims "baseless." The league said in a statement that it believes the lawsuit is "without merit." Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are pleased with the verdict, saying that it sends a message to the NFL that it cannot abuse its power.