Bar owners mull lawsuit after DirecTV revives Sunday Ticket deal
Bar and restaurant operators who upgraded to streaming based on EverPass’s claim that DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket was gone are now facing unexpected costs and are considering legal action.
In May, EverPass informed bar and restaurant owners that satellite delivery of NFL Sunday Ticket was permanently discontinued and that streaming would become the exclusive commercial distribution method beginning with the 2026 season. Acting on that guidance, numerous venues installed streaming infrastructure, spending significant sums on the upgrade. Late last month, DirecTV unexpectedly re-entered the market with a new Sunday Ticket arrangement, leaving those establishments with costly, now-redundant equipment.
Some owners had hoped EverPass would eventually negotiate a deal with DirecTV, but those who trusted the initial statement now face financial loss. Although no formal complaint has been lodged, industry sources say litigation appears inevitable. The situation highlights the risks businesses face when relying on evolving media distribution promises.
Why it matters
Bars that spent money on new streaming gear may be unable to recoup costs if the promised shift to streaming never materializes.
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