Sunday Ticket Trial Closes: Will Judge Overrule Jury Verdict?
The legal battle over Sunday Ticket may reveal a different side of the game, and the outcome could come this week. Closing arguments in the trial against the NFL are set to happen on Wednesday, and all evidence has been presented. Jury deliberations will begin on Wednesday morning or afternoon, with the jury instructed on the law that applies to the case. Regardless of the verdict reached or an impasse declared, an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit remains a possibility for both sides.
If the NFL loses, it’s possible that presiding judge could still enter judgment notwithstanding a jury verdict for defense. However, there is evidence to support a jury verdict on whether the league required Sunday Ticket to be priced high enough to ensure consumers would watch games on local CBS and/or Fox affiliates instead of choosing other channels or streaming services at a lower cost. This could impact how people view football as “family” moving forward.
The legal battle over Sunday Ticket may reveal that there are more complex issues involved in professional sports than just winning games on field. It could also bring attention to consumer rights and pricing practices within industry, which could impact other sports and leagues in future cases.
