The full proposed settlement agreement in the Garber v. MLB case was filed today with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the document contains several additional components beyond the MLB.TV price breaks and easing of blackout restrictions disclosed yesterday. The deal also includes a $16.5M total payment by MLB, Comcast, DirecTV and YES Network to cover the plaintiffs’ attorney fees and costs, as well as a service award up to $10,000 to each named plaintiff in the case.
The agreement also outlines a 12.5% price break in the Extra Innings televised out-of-market package for Comcast and DirecTV subscribers during the '16 and '17 seasons, and a 3% cap on MLB.TV annual price hikes during the next five years. The settlement additionally outlines efforts MLB will take to provide in-market game telecasts to fans unable to obtain service from a cable or satellite provider at their home. The deal must still be approved by Judge Shira Scheindlin, and the plaintiffs have asked that MLB President of Business & Media Bob Bowman also submit a declaration of support with the court for approval of the settlement.
