Antitrust suit vs. NFL to proceed
The Supreme Court said Monday an antitrust challenge can go forward to the way the National Football League sells the rights to telecasts of pro football games.
The league’s 32 teams pool the rights to telecast their games, negotiating packages with the major networks as well as the DirecTV satellite service. The lawsuit was filed by businesses and individuals who say they purchased a package of games from DirecTV. A lower court ruled that the NFL’s contract with DirecTV may limit competition in violation of federal law. The arrangement has been in place for more than 25 years.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that in rejecting the NFL’s appeal at this early stage of the lawsuit, the high court was not necessarily endorsing the claims. “In sum, the defendants—the NFL, its teams, and DirecTV—have substantial arguments on the law. If the defendants do not prevail at summary judgment or at trial, they may raise those legal arguments again” in a new appeal to the Supreme Court, he wrote.
■ The Jets agreed Sunday night to trade veteran linebacker Avery Williamson to the Steelers. The Jets also are sending a 2022 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers for a 2022 fifth-rounder. ... Raiders tackle Trent Brown remains in Cleveland undergoing tests after being hospitalized following an IV mishap before a game against the Browns. Brown was sent to the hospital shortly before the game between the Raiders and Browns started on Sunday. NFL Network reported that a pregame IV caused air to enter Brown’s bloodstream. “I’m very glad to report he’s up and seems to be doing well,” coach Jon Gruden said
Monday. “We’re awaiting some of the results of some of the extensive tests that they did today and yesterday.” Basketball: Europe’s top basketball league features teams from 10 countries navigating COVID-19 cases, international travel restrictions and last-minute postponements. It makes the NBA bubble look like a walk in the amusement park. NBA great Tony Parker’s team in France has played only half of its scheduled games in the Euro League. The chaotic start prompted Milan coach Ettore Messina on Monday to call for suspending the season until March or April. “As for now, the only logical choice seems to be to put on hold the European competition and allow the national leagues to finish their season(s) in the next four months since in-country traveling will be easier,” Messina, a former assistant coach for the Spurs, wrote in an open letter. The 18-team Euro League — like soccer’s Champions League — is a season-long tournament between the continent’s top clubs who also play domestic schedules. The league canceled its 2019-20 season in May.
MLB: Indians ace Shane Bieber moved one step closer to winning the AL Cy Young Award when he was named one of the top three finishers in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Bieber joined Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda and Blue Jays left-hande r Hyun Jin Ryu on the list of finalists. Bieber is considered the favorite after the he went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 771⁄ innings,
3 leading the majors in wins, ERA and strikeouts. The winner of each BBWAA award will be announced nextweek.