No. 19-1098October Term 2019Decided Nov 2, 2020Updated Nov 2, 2020
National Football League v. Ninth Inning
National Football League v. Ninth Inning, Inc.
This case involves an antitrust challenge to how the NFL and its member teams jointly control and distribute live game telecasts.
Case status
Decided · November 2, 2020
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Nov 2, 2020
- What it's about
This case involves an antitrust challenge to how the NFL and its member teams jointly control and distribute live game telecasts. The petition asks whether the Ninth Circuit wrongly allowed the claims to proceed without requiring proof of harm in a properly defined market and whether plaintiffs who did not buy directly from the NFL can seek damages.
Question presented
1. Should the Court review the splitless, fact-bound application of the well-settled rule of reason standard to the denial of a pre-discovery motion to dismiss? 2. Should the Court review the splitless, fact-bound holding that Respondents properly pleaded antitrust standing where the complaint alleges they were directly harmed by the alleged conspiracy, does not assert a claim for pass-on damages, and where it is undisputed the issue is not case-dispositive?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Nov 2, 2020
- Area
Business and Regulation
Timing
Decided November 2, 2020
The Court released its decision on November 2, 2020 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Opinions
Orders
Key filings
Briefs on file: 9View on supremecourt.gov
Activity
Docket activity3
Opinion added: Opinion
Nov 2, 2020 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Feb 7, 2020 | Court records
Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
Nov 27, 2019 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology