The National Football League has sued a group of insurance companies for more than $1 billion in unpaid claims stemming from a long-running antitrust lawsuit, according to CNBC.
In this specific case, the NFL claims that insurance companies responsible for “excess” coverage have refused to pay money that would cover attorneys’ fees and other expenses in defending against the still-pending antitrust case. The NFL alleges that the excess coverage providers initially seemed to acknowledge the responsibility to provide coverage before changing their tune in 2021.
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The case, which is still pending, accuses the league of colluding to suppress player wages. If the players prevail, they could be awarded triple damages, and the total payout amount could reach the billions of dollars.
The NFL has been insured against antitrust judgments since the early 1990s.
The NFL alleges that the insurance companies have unlawfully refused to pay claims related to the antitrust case. The NFL’s lawsuit, filed in federal court, charges that the insurers conducted “a coordinated campaign of bad faith and gamesmanship” by refusing to pay the insurance claims.