Federal Appeals Court Reinstates 'Sunday Ticket' Verdict, Orders New Trial

In a significant legal development, a federal appeals court has reinstated the verdict of a class-action lawsuit concerning the National Football League's (NFL) 'Sunday Ticket' package, paving the way for a new trial to determine the damages. This ruling comes after Judge Philip S. Gutierrez initially threw out the $4.7 billion judgment in August 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle over the popular sports subscription service.

The original jury found that the NFL had violated antitrust laws with its Sunday Ticket package, a decision that was central to the case. However, the judge's subsequent action to overturn the verdict highlighted the complexity and contentious nature of the legal proceedings. Now, with the appeals court's decision, the path is set for a fresh determination of the damages, which could have substantial implications for both the NFL and the millions of subscribers involved.

Daniel Rascher's expert testimony played a crucial role in the initial verdict, providing key insights into the economic impact of the NFL's actions. However, his testimony was later deemed too speculative by Judge Gutierrez, leading to the initial dismissal of the $4.7 billion judgment. Despite this setback, the recent reinstatement of the verdict means that Rascher’s analysis may once again take center stage in the upcoming trial.

The case involves more than 2.4 million residential subscribers and over 48,000 commercial establishments, making it a matter of considerable interest to a wide audience. Additionally, the NFL's recent signing of a seven-year, $14 billion deal with YouTube TV for Sunday Ticket adds another layer of significance to the legal proceedings, as it underscores the financial stakes at play.

For the 2026 season, Sunday Ticket prices ranged from $240 to $480 depending on customer status and plan type, reflecting the varying levels of access and pricing strategies employed by the NFL. As the new trial approaches, all eyes will be on how these factors might influence the final outcome of the case.

What we know

• - The original jury found the NFL had violated antitrust laws with the Sunday Ticket package. ⁴⁵
• - A federal appeals court has reinstated the verdict of a class-action lawsuit concerning the NFL's 'Sunday Ticket' package. ¹²⁶
• - The court ordered a new trial to determine the damages for the class-action lawsuit. ¹²⁶
• - The previous verdict against the NFL was $4.7 billion. ³⁵
• - The case involves more than 2.4 million residential subscribers and over 48,000 commercial establishments. ³⁴
• - Daniel Rascher's expert testimony was central to the initial verdict but was later deemed too speculative by Judge Philip Gutierrez. ⁵
• - Judge Philip S. Gutierrez initially threw out the $4.7 billion judgment in August 2024. ³
• - The NFL signed a seven-year, $14 billion deal with YouTube TV in 2023 for Sunday Ticket. ³
• - For the 2026 season, Sunday Ticket prices ranged from $240 to $480 depending on customer status and plan type. ⁴