The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into whether the NFL “has engaged in anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers,” though the “nature and scope of the investigation couldn’t immediately be learned,” according to sources cited by Toonkel & Mattioli of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. News of the investigation comes amid debate about the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which “grants the league limited antitrust protection to allow the teams to collectively negotiate packages of TV rights.” Media companies, regulators and members of Congress have “raised concerns in recent months” over “how difficult it is for consumers to be able to watch their favorite sports games as a result of rights deals in which leagues offer smaller packages of games to streamers.” It also comes as the NFL is “seeking to reopen its deals with networks to lock in higher rates.” Under the NFL’s current agreements with CBS, NBC and Fox, the league has an opt-out window after the 2029-30 season (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/9).
TELLING THEIR SIDE: The NFL released a statement following the news of the investigation that read, “The NFL’s media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry. With over 87% of our games on free, broadcast television, including 100% of games in the markets of the competing teams, the NFL has for decades put our fans front and center in how we distribute our content. The 2025 season was our most viewed since 1989 and reflects the strength of the NFL distribution model and its wide availability to all fans” (NFL).
