NFL's $4.7B Oops 💰💰💰

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

NFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion (with a B) for violating Federal anti-trust laws, Jacksonville and Charlotte are footing the bill for new stadiums, JaMarcus Russell was fired from his high school coaching gig, and we unpack the details of the ruling in the NFL Sunday Ticket trial.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• The jury in the NFL Sunday Ticket trial has ordered the league to pay $4.7 billion to residential subscribers in the case, as well as another $96 million to business owners (ESPN)

• Jacksonville approves $1.4 billion Jaguars’ stadium deal (PFT)

• Charlotte city council approved the Carolina Panthers $800 million dollar stadium renovation plan (WSOC)

• Brandon Aiyuk 'for sure' wants to stay with 49ers despite stalemate (ESPN)

• Bo Nix favored over Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham to start Week One for Broncos (PFT)

• Randall Cobb, family 'lucky to be alive' after house fire (ESPN)

• Former No. 1 NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell is being accused of stealing a $74K donation meant for Williamson High School (Washington Times)

• Sunday Ticket verdict could expedite push for 18 games (Yahoo Sports)

• Wilson Sporting Goods renews deal with NFL to make league's official football (Yahoo Sports)

• Eagles announce plans to wear famous Kelly Green throwback uniforms vs. Cowboys, Jaguars (on3.com)

OPENING DRIVE REQUIRED READING

• More than a quarter of the league will be documented by NFL Films alone this season. SI’s Albert Breer and several GMs discuss the way those shows have changed in our new era of reality TV.

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WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Tua Tagovailoa. As the NFL's quarterback contract landscape continues to evolve, all eyes are firmly fixed on Tua Tagovailoa and his impending extension with the Miami Dolphins. The young signal-caller has firmly established himself as one of the league's rising stars, and industry experts believe he's poised to join the exclusive $50 million per year QB club.

Tagovailoa's breakout 2023 campaign, in which he led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) and started all 18 games, including the playoffs, has set the stage for a potentially record-breaking deal. With Trevor Lawrence's recent five-year, $275 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars setting a new benchmark, the pressure is on the Dolphins to ensure they keep their prized quarterback in Miami.

The challenge for Miami, however, lies in the delicate balance of committing a massive long-term investment in Tagovailoa while also addressing his concerning injury history. The quarterback's concussion issues and other ailments have raised questions about his durability, a factor that could complicate contract negotiations.

Despite these concerns, the Dolphins find themselves in a precarious position. Letting Tagovailoa play out the final year of his rookie deal and potentially increase his value with another stellar campaign would be a risky proposition. And with no obvious young quarterback waiting in the wings, the Dolphins have little choice but to prioritize locking down their 25-year-old signal-caller.

As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Dolphins and Tagovailoa as they navigate the complex world of quarterback contracts. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards of securing a franchise-altering talent like Tua Tagovailoa are even higher.

Who’s down?
David Tepper and Shahid Khan. As the cities of Jacksonville and Charlotte eagerly hand over hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds to bankroll stadium deals for the Jaguars and Panthers respectively, one has to question the true motives of team owners Shahid Khan and David Tepper.

Both Khan and Tepper, whose estimated net worth exceeds $11 billion and $20 billion respectively, have leveraged the threat of relocation to strong-arm these communities into forking over massive public subsidies. In Jacksonville, the city council approved a staggering $1.4 billion renovation of the Jaguars' stadium, with taxpayers on the hook for over 50% of the cost. Meanwhile, in Charlotte, the Panthers' $800 million stadium overhaul will see the city contribute a whopping $400 million.

These deals represent a disturbing trend in professional sports, where billionaire owners exploit the emotional attachment of fans and the desperation of local governments to extract every last penny from the public coffers. Khan and Tepper, rather than dipping into their own deep pockets to fund the upgrades their franchises desire, have instead chosen to line their pockets at the expense of hardworking taxpayers.

The sheer audacity of these requests is compounded by the fact that both the Jaguars and Panthers have struggled to field consistently competitive teams, leaving fans frustrated and disillusioned. Yet, the owners continue to demand ever-growing subsidies, with little regard for the broader economic and social impact on their host communities.

As the sports world grapples with the morality of these taxpayer-funded stadium deals, one can't help but wonder: when will the cities of Jacksonville and Charlotte finally stand up to these billionaire bullies and demand a fairer, more equitable arrangement?

NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Unpacking the verdict in the anti-trust lawsuit over “NFL Sunday Ticket”

(See part one here) In a monumental ruling that could reshape the future of sports media, a federal jury has found the NFL guilty of violating antitrust laws with its exclusive "NFL Sunday Ticket" package. The decision, which awards the plaintiffs a staggering $4 billion in damages, sends shockwaves through the league and the broader sports broadcasting landscape.

The core of the case revolved around the NFL's longstanding agreement with DirecTV to provide the Sunday Ticket package, which grants subscribers access to out-of-market games. The plaintiffs, a group of football fans, argued that this exclusive deal has allowed the league to inflate prices and restrict consumer choice, a clear violation of antitrust statutes.

The jury's verdict, which came after a lengthy and contentious trial, validates the plaintiffs' claims. The $4 billion in damages represents the estimated overcharges paid by Sunday Ticket subscribers since the package's inception in 1994, a staggering figure that could have major implications for the NFL's future.

Beyond the financial implications, the ruling also raises questions about the league's control over the distribution of its most valuable content. With the exclusive DirecTV deal now deemed unlawful, the NFL will likely be forced to rethink its broadcasting strategy, potentially opening the door for new streaming platforms and more consumer-friendly options.

The fallout from this decision could reverberate across the sports media industry, potentially expediting the NFL's long-rumored push for an 18-game regular season. The league has long argued that the additional games would help offset the loss of revenue from traditional broadcasting deals, a strategy that could now take on added urgency in the wake of the Sunday Ticket verdict.

As the NFL and its legal team prepare to navigate the post-trial motions and potential appeals, the sports world waits with bated breath to see how this landmark decision will reshape the future of professional football's media landscape.

Did you know?

🏈 The NFL was ordered to pay $4 billion to residential subscribers and $96 million to commercial subscribers.
🏈 Under Federal ant-trust laws, that total is tripled to more than $14 billion.
🏈 The trial unveiled that the NFL declined a proposal from ESPN to take over the rights in 2023 priced at $70 with single-team packages.
🏈 The NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusively hosted by YouTube TV since last season, is currently available for purchase at $349 per year.

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