NFL Faces New Sunday Ticket Antitrust Trial After $4.7B Verdict Overturned, League 'Considering Options'

The National Football League is heading back to court after a federal judge ordered a new trial in the long-running Sunday Ticket antitrust class action, wiping out a previous $4.7 billion jury verdict against the league. The NFL, led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, expressed disappointment with the ruling and said it is 'considering our options,' signaling a possible appeal or settlement strategy. The case, which has spanned nearly a decade, centers on claims that the NFL and its teams conspired to limit distribution of out-of-market games through the Sunday Ticket package, allegedly inflating prices for consumers and restricting competition. The original verdict, delivered in June 2024, was one of the largest damages awards in sports antitrust history, with the potential for trebled damages exceeding $14 billion. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez granted the NFL's motion for judgment as a matter of law, ruling that the jury's damages calculation was not based on sound economic evidence. The new trial will force both sides to revisit complex arguments about broadcast rights, market definitions, and consumer harm. For the NFL, the stakes are enormous: a second loss could reshape how professional sports leagues package and sell media rights. For fans, the outcome could determine whether out-of-market game access becomes cheaper or more flexible. As the legal battle resets, the league must weigh the risks of another jury trial against the cost of a potential settlement that could run into the billions.