NFL Media Deals Being Investigated By Department Of Justice
Deadline • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the NFL over concerns that its media deals may violate antitrust laws and negatively impact consumer affordability and access.
- The probe focuses on the NFL's use of the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, which grants limited antitrust exemptions for national broadcast negotiations, amid criticism about the fragmentation of game broadcasts across multiple streaming platforms.
- The FCC has also been investigating sports broadcasting rights, noting that fans may need to subscribe to up to 10 different services to watch all NFL games in 2025, with estimated costs exceeding $1,500 annually.
- The NFL defended its media distribution model, highlighting that over 87% of games are available on free broadcast TV and that the 2025 season was the most viewed since 1989, emphasizing wide fan access.
- The investigation coincides with the NFL potentially reopening its lucrative 11-year media deals following a merger-triggered clause, amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators about the shift from traditional broadcast to subscription-based streaming platforms.
