Last week, in the Sunday Ticket class action, the presiding judge expressed frustration with the plaintiffs’ lawyers and hinted at possibly dismissing the case. He is currently withholding a decision on the league’s motion for judgment until the jury delivers a verdict. This scenario highlights how a judge can overrule a jury if the evidence doesn’t support a reasonable jury’s decision.
Throughout a civil trial, a judge has several mechanisms to favor one side without a jury’s input. Motions like Rule 12(b)(6) and Rule 56 can dismiss a case early or before trial, based on legal grounds or undisputed facts. Rule 50 allows for judgment as a matter of law during the trial, and the judge can decide that no reasonable jury could find for the plaintiffs if key evidence is lacking.
Jury decisions in big company trials often stem from fairness rather than legal strictness. Even if the NFL’s pricing of Sunday Ticket appears unfair, without adequate evidence of antitrust violation, the judge can still rule in the NFL’s favor. However, the NFL should heed public sentiment if a jury sides against its pricing tactics, reflecting broader dissatisfaction despite the legal outcome.
