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Goodell’s $5 Billion Triumph & Michael Rubin Blowback

A secret arbitration has ordered the NFL union to pay $7.8 million to Fanatics’ rival for breach of contract. Meanwhile, the league has prevailed in a major counteroffensive in the Sunday Ticket case.

roger goodell
The NFL claimed a “runaway jury” overlooked expert testimony and misapplied economic models, resulting in a supposed $191.26 per subscription “overcharge” — and the judge agreed. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Eriq Gardner
August 2, 2024

We’re in the midst of a particularly legally charged era in sports, from Warner Bros. Discovery sparring with the NBA over TV contracts to trading card companies embroiled in rights battles. To wit: This week, NCAA lawyers proposed a hefty $2.8 billion settlement, plus TV revenue, to compensate college athletes who were previously restricted from endorsements. Meanwhile, a federal court found that a $335 million settlement for MMA fighters was insufficient, setting the stage for a trial later this year as fighters claim that UFC’s acquisitions of rivals like the World Fighter Alliance, World Extreme Cagefighting, Pride, and Strikeforce suppressed their earnings. Bottom line: There are a lot of big legal judgments being handed down these days.