"NFL's 'Sunday Ticket' Antitrust Trial Looms Over $6B Class Action Suit"
A federal judge has cleared the way for a multibillion dollar antitrust trial against the NFL, challenging the bundling of out-of-market football game rights by its 32 teams and the league's exclusive licensing of those telecasts. The trial, scheduled for February, alleges that the NFL and its clubs conspired to allow exclusive deals with broadcast partners, resulting in inflated prices for Sunday Ticket buyers. The court found evidence of a multilevel conspiracy that may have led to DirecTV's monopoly ownership of out-of-market telecasts, potentially violating antitrust laws. The NFL's antitrust exemption through the Sports Broadcasting Act does not immunize contracts that restrict competition for paid telecasts, according to the court.