In a stunning turn of events, the NFL emerged victorious in the Sunday Ticket case after losing the initial verdict. As A.J. Perez of FrontOfficeSports.com reports, the NFL wasted no time in seeking reimbursement of litigation costs from the plaintiffs involved in the antitrust action. The league is requesting a whopping $389,715.61 to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as witness depositions, travel, copying, and other hard costs incurred during the legal battle.
In the realm of civil justice in America, it is customary for each party to cover its own legal fees, with some exceptions. Generally, the losing side may be on the hook for the winner’s litigation expenses, pending the judge’s discretion. However, in a controversial move, the NFL’s demand for reimbursement is seen as somewhat harsh and perhaps unnecessary.
The plaintiffs may have technically lost the case, but they successfully demonstrated that the NFL’s Sunday Ticket package infringed upon antitrust laws. The judge’s decision to not disband Sunday Ticket despite acknowledging its violation of federal antitrust laws only added insult to injury for the plaintiffs. The entire situation has left many scratching their heads at the NFL’s decision to go after the plaintiffs for reimbursement.
While the cost won’t directly impact Sunday Ticket customers, the message behind the league’s actions is clear: don’t mess with the NFL. By targeting the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, the league is sending a warning to anyone else who might challenge them in the future.
Despite the legal maneuvering and drama, one thing remains certain – football is still family. The NFL’s pursuit of reimbursement may come off as petty, but in the cutthroat world of professional sports, it’s all par for the course. Let’s see how this legal drama unfolds in the weeks to come.
