Appeal Revives $4.7 Billion Lawsuit Against NFL Over Sunday Ticket Package

The US District Court then overturned that decision. According to the court, the $4.7 billion figure was "based on conjecture or speculation."

What the Appellate Decision Changes

The appellate court has now reconsidered the case. It concluded that there were indeed questions about the amount of the claim. However, the district judge had erred in overturning the verdict against the NFL. The consumers who filed the lawsuit are entitled to a new court proceeding, whose task will be to determine the correct amount of damages.

For media-market professionals, this means exclusive sports-content distribution models remain subject to legal risk even after the defendant's initial victory. Overturning the verdict did not close the case—the dispute is returning to the calculation of the amount, not the question of liability.

How the League Responds

The NFL said it was "disappointed" by the appeals court decision concerning NFL Sunday Ticket.

"We continue to believe that our media-content distribution strategy <…> is, without question, the most convenient distribution model for fans across all sports and entertainment," the National Football League said.

Thus, the case, which began in 2015, will continue. The key outcome will now come from a new trial that determines how much the league will pay the 2.4 million subscribers and tens of thousands of establishments for the years during which the exclusive package was offered through DirecTV.