Facts

Thomas Laumann, Fernanda Garber, Robert Silver, Garrett Traub, David Dillon, and Peter Herman, representing themselves and all others similarly situated sued the National Hockey League, NHL Enterprises LP, NHL Interactive Cyberenterprises LLC, New York Rangers Hockey Club, New Jersey Devils LLC, New York Islanders Hockey Club LP, Comcast-Spectator LP, Lincoln Hockey LLC, Lemieux Group LP, Hockey Western New York LLC, Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team Inc., San Jose Sharks LLC, Directv LLC, Directv Sports Networks LLC, Root Sports Pittsburgh, Comcast Corp., Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia LP, Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic LP, Comcast Sportsnet California LLC, Comcast Sportsnet Chicago LLC, and Madison Square Garden Co. relating to alleged anticompetitive behavior.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
A class of purchasers of out of market sports packages contended that the owners of the National Hockey League teams entered into a series of agreements that eliminated, restricted, and prevented competition in the distribution of live men's hockey games over the Internet and television. They allegedly did this by dividing the market into exclusive territories, which were protected by anticompetitive blackouts. As a result, subscribers were overcharged for certain hockey games. Plaintiffs brought a class action alleging antitrust violations under the Sherman Act.

Result

A proposed settlement was preliminarily approved that would give subscribers better prices and more choices. It also reduces prices for all out of market packages. It would also allow subscribers to subscribe to individual team subscriptions at significant additional discounts, rather than being required to purchase a bundle of all NHL out of market games of all teams.