NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been invited to testify before Congress as the league faces increasing federal scrutiny over its broadcast agreements and the growing practice of airing games on subscription-based streaming services.
Congressional Hearing Scheduled
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Goodell on Monday requesting his appearance at a hearing on June 10. The session will examine the league's television contracts and their alignment with the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
The 65-year-old law grants professional sports leagues limited antitrust immunity, permitting them to pool media rights and negotiate collectively while shielding them from antitrust litigation. However, the law applies exclusively to broadcast networks; courts have previously ruled it does not extend to cable, satellite, or streaming platforms.
There is bipartisan interest in updating the legislation, and President Donald Trump has been among those critical of the NFL's move toward streaming.
Focus on Consumer Harm
According to Jordan's letter, the hearing will 'examine the extent to which the antitrust exemption created by the SBA has been used by the professional sports leagues to harm consumers and whether potential legislative remedies may be needed to address that harm.'
An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.
Justice Department Investigation
The congressional action coincides with a Justice Department investigation into the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices. In April, when the probe was disclosed, a government official—who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation by name—said it was 'about affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.'
In March, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote to the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission urging a review of whether the NFL's distribution methods comply with the 1961 law. The FTC has since sought public comments on the shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services.
NFL's Current Media Landscape
The NFL maintains that 87 percent of its games are available on free television, and games exclusive to cable or streaming remain accessible over the air in the home markets of competing teams. The league holds broadcast or streaming deals with CBS/Paramount+, NBC/Peacock, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube TV.
Thursday night games moved to Prime Video in 2022, and the league has since shifted a wild-card playoff game, Christmas Day games, and a Black Friday game to streaming platforms. This season, Netflix will stream an opening-week game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, as well as a Green Bay Packers-Rams game the day before Thanksgiving.
