This long-running class-action antitrust case is from “a group of bars and individuals” focused on how Sunday Ticket “could only be accessed through DirecTV, and now YouTube.” The class is seeking $6 billion in damages “due to the exclusivity of Sunday on one distribution platform.”
Google is paying the NFL around $2.1 billion annually for NFL Sunday Ticket. This is lower than some had predicted before an official deal was announced. Apple, for instance, was rumored to be interested at between $2.5 billion to $3 billion per year.
Documents revealed as part of this class-action lawsuit reveal a few more details on the Sunday Ticket negotiations. In addition to Apple and Google being interested in the package, the documents reveal Amazon, Roku, and ESPN all made their own proposals. The NFL handed over 667 pages of documents for the lawsuit, with details on the “proposals from third parties Google, Apple, Amazon, Roku, and ESPN regarding the rights to Sunday Ticket package.”
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit want the NFL to reveal more documents and details on the negotiations for the latest Sunday Ticket package, particularly in regard to Apple. In a decision filed on Tuesday, federal magistrate judge John McDermott wrote:
Plaintiffs also are concerned that there are few documents regarding the breakdown of negotiations between Apple and the NFL. Public reporting suggests the negotiations broke down because the NFL refused to let Apple distribute local games or offer Sunday Ticket at significantly lower prices. The NFL, however, argues that documents it has produced suggest numerous reasons why the negotiations failed. None of the reasons cited by (the) NFL and Apple contained any reference to Sunday Ticket package pricing.
The Athletic reports that Apple has also been subpoenaed as part of this lawsuit and has “turned over documents.” Still, the plaintiffs aren’t happy with what’s been turned over so far.
