WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court said Monday that the antitrust challenge could move forward on the way the National Football League sells broadcasting rights to pro-football football games.
The league’s 32 teams support the right to broadcast their games, the right to negotiate packages with major networks as well as the DirectTV Satellite service. It was claimed by businesses and individuals who say they bought the sports package from DirectTV. The lower court ruled that the NFL’s agreement with DirectV could limit competition in violation of federal law. This arrangement has been going on for over 25 years.
Justice Brett Kavanagh wrote that while the NFL’s appeal was rejected at this early stage of the trial, the High Court did not necessarily uphold the claims. “In addition, the defendants – the NFL, its teams and DirectV – make significant arguments about the law. If the defendants do not win at the time of the summary judgment or hearing, they can raise those legal arguments again, ”Kevnaho wrote in a new appeal to the Supreme Court.
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