As many social media users seek alternatives to the platform formerly (and still informally) known as Twitter, rebranded to X by Elon Musk, Bluesky has emerged as a leading option. However, NFL fans looking to follow their favorite teams on “the other app” face a significant hurdle, as the league bars franchises from creating accounts on Bluesky.
The NFL’s unwillingness to allow teams on Bluesky reportedly stems from financial reasons. The league seeks compensation for helping establish the app as an alternative to X, as highlighted by the Sports Business Journal. In response, some fans have taken action by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the league for its decision to prohibit official accounts on Bluesky, viewing this as a “refusal to engage with Bluesky in favor of X,” according to Eriq Gardner’s latest “What I’m Hearing” newsletter for Puck.
The lawsuit argues that fans “do not wish to follow their teams on Elon Musk’s X platform. As consumers, they deserve the freedom to choose not to engage with a specific outlet or brand.” Gardner points out the ironic nature of this lawsuit, drawing a parallel to Musk’s own litigation — which he amended just last week — against companies that have declined to advertise on X since his acquisition of the platform in 2022. He further notes that this type of litigation has posed challenges for the NFL in recent years, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s decision in the American Needle lawsuit, which established the potential for teams to conspire, and the initial verdict in the Sunday Ticket lawsuit, which was later overturned but could be reopened.
The situation also bears political implications given Musk’s ties to President Donald Trump, whom the NFL has seemingly sought to appease since his re-election last November. While the Supreme Court has historically ruled against the league in similar cases, it is important to consider that the current Court is more conservative than it was 15 years ago.
Ultimately, this lawsuit is in its early stages, and it will be interesting to observe its progression. It is clear that at least some NFL fans not only recognized the league’s absence on Bluesky, but also acted swiftly in response.
