Ninth Circuit restores NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict, leaves new damages trial in place
The Ninth Circuit restores the NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict while leaving a new damages trial in place. The league defends its media strategy. Mike Florio faults the decision to retain the package and suggests ending it could be prudent.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The subscriber classes challenged the pricing and distribution of out-of-market Sunday afternoon games during the DirecTV period. The published opinion concerns expert testimony and damages; a companion memorandum resolves other appellate issues. It does not itself order the NFL to end the current package.
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 30, 2026
October 2026
Ninth Circuit restores liability and requires a new damages trial
The published opinion reverses judgment as a matter of law for the NFL while affirming a new damages trial. It does not restore a payable damages award.
[01]Ninth Inning Inc. v. National Football League, Inc. (In re: National Football League's Sunday Ticket Antitrust Litigation), Nos. 24-5493, 24-5691
The published opinion reverses judgment as a matter of law for the NFL while affirming a new trial on damages. The companion memorandum addresses other issues.
Ninth Inning Inc. v. National Football League, Inc. (In re: National Football League's Sunday Ticket Antitrust Litigation), Nos. 24-5493, 24-5691Consolidated appeals 24-5493 and 24-5691; opinion and dispositionAP reports the NFL's defense of its broadcast model
Reaction
The league's statement emphasizes free local broadcasts and additional paid viewing options.
[02]Associated Press
AP quotes the league's defense of free local broadcasts and additional paid viewing options. The court did not reinstate a payable damages award.
Appellate court revives 'Sunday Ticket' antitrust verdict against the NFL · Associated PressNFL statement following discussion of the damages ruling
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
National Football LeagueLeague, in a statement quoted by Associated PressDirectly involved Before this statement
The statement opens by reiterating the league's belief and describes the current mix of free broadcasts, RedZone, Sunday Ticket and NFL Plus.
"is by far the most fan-friendly distribution model in all of sports and entertainment."
Defended or excusedCase context: Ninth Circuit restores NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict, leaves new damages trial in place
Full statement and sources
In a statement reported October 30, the NFL defends its media distribution strategy.
After the statement
The statement follows the decision restoring liability while requiring a new damages trial.
Appellate court revives 'Sunday Ticket' antitrust verdict against the NFL · Associated PressNFL statement following discussion of the damages rulingWhy this label?
Relative to Sunday Ticket distribution, the league expressly defends its combination of free broadcasts and paid choices.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Mike FlorioProFootballTalk writer, in signed commentaryDirectly involved Before this statement
Florio criticizes the league's decision to keep the same Sunday Ticket approach after the $4.7 billion verdict.
"The violation, frankly, continues for each and every Sunday of the football season."
CondemnedCase context: Ninth Circuit restores NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict, leaves new damages trial in place
Full statement and sources
Florio argues that the Sunday Ticket arrangement continues to violate antitrust law each Sunday.
After the statement
Florio predicts that the NFL will eventually end Sunday Ticket, either because of a court order or to limit financial losses.
New appeals court ruling could end Sunday TicketOpening recommendation and discussion of continuing exposureWhy this label?
Relative to the Sunday Ticket arrangement, Florio criticizes its continuation as an ongoing antitrust violation.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(3)
Original text
Ninth Inning Inc. v. National Football League, Inc. (In re: National Football League's Sunday Ticket Antitrust Litigation), Nos. 24-5493, 24-5691
Relevant passage: Consolidated appeals 24-5493 and 24-5691; opinion and disposition
About this source
The published opinion reverses judgment as a matter of law for the NFL while affirming a new trial on damages. The companion memorandum addresses other issues.
- Author
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Published
- Accessed
Analysis
New appeals court ruling could end Sunday Ticket
Relevant passage: Opening recommendation and discussion of continuing exposure
About this source
Florio criticizes the package and suggests ending it could be prudent. His forecasts are commentary, not a court order.
- Author
- Mike Florio
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Appellate court revives 'Sunday Ticket' antitrust verdict against the NFL
Relevant passage: NFL statement following discussion of the damages ruling
About this source
AP quotes the league's defense of free local broadcasts and additional paid viewing options. The court did not reinstate a payable damages award.
- Author
- Joe Reedy, Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Ninth Circuit restores NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict, leaves new damages trial in place
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/nfl-sunday-ticket-antitrust-liability-damages-appeal
The Dispute Index. "Ninth Circuit restores NFL Sunday Ticket liability verdict, leaves new damages trial in place". First published: 2026-10-31. Last updated: 2026-10-31. https://disputeindex.com/cases/nfl-sunday-ticket-antitrust-liability-damages-appeal