The jury had its say. And the judge, well, he ignored it in every way possible.
David vs. Goliath: A Battle Ignored
Almost three weeks ago, we saw a colossal legal showdown. A jury hit the NFL with a staggering $4.7 billion verdict. This decision was based on expert testimony—the kind of testimony Judge Philip Gutierrez initially allowed but then rejected AFTER the fact. You heard that right. A plot twist straight out of a telenovela!
The Final Judgment: Striking Out
Judge Gutierrez entered his final judgment on Tuesday, and let me tell you, it left no room for errors or injuries. In this final play, Gutierrez didn’t require the NFL to stop their impermissible actions. Imagine running to the end zone only to be told the touchdown doesn’t count after you’ve already spiked the ball!
A Questionable Call
Forget about the plaintiffs’ objections. Gutierrez took the NFL’s proposed order, struck out the word “proposed,” and bam—entered the judgment as is. It was like watching the ref take a bribe and change the score. With this ruling, the 2.4 million residential consumers and the nearly 50,000 commercial establishments got left out in the rain without an umbrella— SOL (a legal term, my friends).
What’s Next? The Road to Appeal
So, what’s left for the plaintiffs? Well, prepare for a Hail Mary. Their best bet, barring some unlikely reconsideration from Gutierrez (who’s hanging up his robes in October), is to file a notice of appeal to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. They’ll have 30 days to do this.
From there, we’re looking at a waiting game of around 12 to 18 months. Then, a three-judge panel will decide if Gutierrez called it like a true pro or fumbled the ball recklessly.
The Antitrust Playbook
This isn’t just about legal jargon and courtroom antics; this is about the heart of the NFL fan base. It’s about those who felt discouraged from buying out-of-market tickets because of how the NFL distributes the package. It’s about the little guys vs. the big league bigshots. Think about the fans huddled in their local bars or homes, stuck watching whatever’s on their local CBS and Fox affiliates, even when their hearts wish otherwise.
Feelings on the Field
Let’s make it personal for a second. Imagine you’ve trained all your life for this moment, you’ve taken the hits, gotten back up, only for the final whistle to blow and the ref to ignore the play that could’ve changed everything. Gutierrez’s decision feels like this moment—it leaves people feeling blindsided and with nowhere to turn but to hope the replay officials, or in this case, the Court of Appeals, see things differently.
So, buckle up folks. This legal battle may be going into overtime. Let’s hope it ends with a roar of victory for the fans who are simply trying to enjoy their football unencumbered by the powers that be.
Stay tuned, because this is one game that’s far from over.
