Lot's of "good" cases go sideways. This case could have easily gone that way. To prove causation and damages, you need economic models. The defense has their own experts with their own models showing that the attempted collusion as ineffective at actually suppressing salaries. If your jury buys that, you get $0, even if you have a notarized affidavit from a CEO saying he tried to suppress wages.
"Sure, we tried to be evil, but we're incompetent at this one particular thing. We're totally competent at everything else we try, though, so certainly deserve our tremendous compensation!"
