If the NFL is required to settle $14.088 billion in the Sunday Ticket case, each team will need to contribute over $440 million. This financial strain highlights the difference between paper wealth and accessible liquidity. Teams like the Packers, who had $583 million in cash and investments last year, might still struggle to maintain ordinary operations after such a hit. Other teams may be less liquid, making private equity investments more vital. However, this could lead to diminished values, as increased demand for private equity creates competitive pressure.
$440 million per team could be borrowed, provided the league agrees to raise debt limits. If nine or more teams have the finances and oppose increasing the borrowing cap, those already lacking funds would face significant challenges. This situation would also create a competitive scramble among owners for private equity deals, lowering their value due to supply and demand principles. For many teams, borrowing might be the simplest way to secure the required financing.
The potential financial implications for NFL teams are profound, should the league lose the lawsuit. Depending entirely on victory is a risky bet that could push financially strained owners towards bankruptcy. To safeguard against unforeseen liabilities, owners might need to consider other strategies like boosting liquidity or diversifying investments, ensuring a more stable financial foundation in the highly competitive world of professional football.
