By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.
TV Answer Man, do you know how much money a DIRECTV Sunday Ticket subscriber will get from that big lawsuit the NFL lost? Do we have to do anything to sign up? — Matt, South Bend, Indiana.
Matt, a California jury on Friday (June 28) found that the NFL should pay $4.7 billion in damages to DIRECTV residential subscribers of the NFL Sunday Ticket and $96 million to bars which offered the package of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. The verdict came in a lawsuit first filed nine years ago by former Sunday Ticket subscribers who alleged that the league conspired with DIRECTV to keep Ticket prices higher than market value because it wanted to ensure that Fox and CBS did not lose too many viewers. If prices were lower, more people presumably would get the Ticket and not watch their Fox and CBS affiliates, the plaintiffs’ argument states.
There are two things you should keep in mind about the verdict. One, the league is appealing the verdict, starting with a hearing on July 31 on a request to the judge to dismiss the case entirely even after the verdict was given. The judge expressed skepticism about the plaintiffs’ case during trial so it’s possible he will approve the league’s request.
Two, if the judge doesn’t grant the league’s motion to throw out the case, the league would then seek to overturn the verdict in the Appeals Court in the Ninth Circuit. That could take months before a resolution.
However, let’s say the plaintiffs ultimately win all appeals. The $4.7 million in residential damages are earmarked for any DIRECTV residential subscriber who purchased the Sunday Ticket from June 17, 2011 to February 7, 2023 while the $96 million in commercial damages are for any commercial venue (bars, restaurants, for example) that got the Ticket during the same time period. (YouTube TV took over the Sunday Ticket starting with the 2023 season and its subscribers are not part of this case.)
DIRECTV Subs: How Much Could You Get From the NFL Sunday Ticket Lawsuit?
There are conflicting estimates on how much each Sunday Ticket subscriber could get with some saying it could be a few hundred dollars while others say it could be a few thousand. But if you were a Sunday Ticket subscriber during those dates, you are eligible to be paid unless you sent a letter to the plaintiffs’ attorneys asking to opt out.
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With the case still in appeal, the plaintiffs have not said how the proceeds would be distributed or whether you need to formally submit your information. For more information on the case, the plaintiffs have set up a web site here. Note it has not been updated since the verdict.
The TV Answer Man will continue to monitor the case and report back here if anything significant changes.
Matt, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
