The NFL is on trial, but the proceedings apparently are not resonating with fans.
The league is a defendant in a federal class-action lawsuit brought by “NFL Sunday Ticket” subscribers, who accuse the NFL of violating antitrust regulations.
Here are three reasons why fans should be paying attention to the trial:
The court’s decision will be historic
The NFL sells game television rights under its 1961 antitrust exemption for broadcasting. It claims the right to sell “NFL Sunday Ticket” under that same exemption, but the plaintiffs in this case say that it only applies to over-the-air broadcasts and not pay TV providers such as DirecTV or YouTube TV.
After years on DirectTV, “NFL Sunday Ticket” moved to YouTube TV last season for residential customers.
The jury’s verdict will either solidify the NFL’s legal monopoly or completely overhaul 63 years of legal precedent.
On Monday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who holds a law degree, explained the significance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN.
