The National Football League is not shielded from antitrust rules when it contracts for the exclusive marketing of Redskins caps, Green Bay Packers jackets and other team-logo merchandise, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday.
The nine justices rejected NFL arguments for a broad antitrust exemption. The case had been closely followed — including by consumer groups and coaches — because the NFL sought a ruling that would have given it significant bargaining power, not only in the marketing of merchandise but possibly in ticket prices and salary contracts.
The case centered on whether major sports leagues, consisting of many individual teams, can be considered a "single entity" and exempt from antitrust law that bars separate businesses from conspiring with one another.