A jury in a California-based federal court ordered the National Football League (NFL) to pay almost $4.8 billion in damages to a residential class action after a ruling Thursday (June 27) found the league violating antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon game tickets on a premium subscription service. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that the jury also ordered a separate $96 million damage to a commercial class lawsuit filed at the US District Court. 

The trial preceding the jury decision lasted around three weeks and featured testimonies from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

It is understood that the lawsuit covered about 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses across the United States who paid for what the league called "Sunday Ticket," from the 2011 to 2022 seasons on DirecTV at an inflated price, which subscribers said restricted competition.

If the NFL would ultimately be found guilty under federal antitrust laws, it could end up paying triple the fines issued, which could amount to a total of $14.39 billion. 

READ NEXT: Kansas City Chiefs and Royals $2 Billion Stadium Funding Rejected-Both Teams Consider Leaving Kansas City

NFL Plans to Appeal Verdict

On the other hand, the NFL said that it would press forward the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and possibly, the Supreme Court. 

In a statement, the league said that it was "disappointed" with the jury's verdict on the class action, insisting that its media distribution strategy was the "most fan friendly distribution model" in all of sports and entertainment in existence. 

Should the NFL end up paying the damages, each of the 32 teams would have to shell in $449.6 million. 

Meanwhile, plaintiff attorney Bill Carmody called the jury decision "a great day for consumers."

US District Court judge Philip S. Gutierez is scheduled to hear post-trial motions on July 31.  

The Associated Press reported that the lawsuit was originally filed in 2015 by the Mighty Duck sports bar in San Francisco but was dismissed in 2017. Then, in 2019, the 9th Circuit, which has jurisdiction over nine western US states, including California, Alaska, and Hawaii, reinstated the case, which eventually became a class action.

Other professional sports leagues, such as the MLB, the NBA, and the NHL, were also monitoring the case as they also offer out-of-market packages, and the fate of the case would significantly affect their respective marketing strategies.

READ MORE: Disney May Come Under Antitrust Fire for Owning Hulu, ESPN, Court Ruling Reveals