The NFL plans to vigorously challenge the Sunday Ticket verdict in court. At some point, the NFL will be required to post an appeal bond.
The league hopes to slow down or even prevent the process altogether.
Via Ben Fischer from Sports Business MagazineThe NFL filed court documents this week admitting that being required to pay a $14.1 billion bail settlement will pose “potential hardship” along with “actual damages” that “cannot be exaggerated.”
The league argued that the professional bond premium itself would be “significantly damaging.”
The NFL may ultimately prevail in the case. That will not result in a refund of the professional bond costs.
The league’s request came in response to plaintiffs’ efforts to have the $4.7 billion verdict recorded as a formal judgment, when it would automatically be tripled under federal antitrust law.
Even without interest and attorneys’ fees, each team will have to cough up more than $440 million in cash. Some teams, as we’ve explained, will have a hard time doing that.
The league has asked the presiding judge to overturn the judgment or reduce it to $1. The court will consider the NFL’s motion for judgment on July 31 as a matter of law.