NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to Testify on Broadcast Deals

Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on June 1, inviting him to appear before the committee on June 10. The hearing will examine whether the league’s broadcast contracts, negotiated under the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, violate antitrust law or disadvantage consumers.

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The 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act granted pro-sports leagues a limited antitrust exemption to bundle TV rights, a rule made before cable and streaming. Courts have ruled it does not apply to those platforms. In April, the DOJ opened an antitrust probe of the NFL’s use of the exemption, and the FCC asked whether streaming-only games are “sponsored telecasts,” which could affect the exemption.

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87 % of games air on free broadcast TV. Subscriptions are required for Monday Night Football on ESPN (if not simulcast on ABC), Thursday Night Football, and Prime Video and Netflix games. A February FCC filing listed games on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Netflix and YouTube, estimating a total cost of about $1,500 for a fan to watch every game.

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The NFL said its distribution model is “the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in sports and entertainment,” noting that most games stay on free broadcast TV. Goodell added the NFL “has survived and thrived on the basis of being available to the broadest audience.” The DOJ and FCC are probing whether the streaming deals breach the 1961 exemption.

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Rep. Jordan said the Sports Broadcasting Act’s original promise—free access to every team’s games—has eroded, raising “fair questions” about collusion with cable and streaming partners. FCC Chair Carr warned that moving live games behind paywalls could jeopardize the league’s antitrust exemption, noting such broadcasts may be “sponsored telecasts” or something else.

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ESPN said league sources were “surprised” by the DOJ probe and suggested a Murdoch-family request might have prompted it, but no official confirmation exists. The exact consumer cost beyond the FCC’s $1,500 estimate remains unclear, and the hearing is expected to address these gaps.

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• “Back when the Sports Broadcast Act was passed, the promise was you'll get to watch every one of your team's games for free,” — Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative

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• “The idea they can collude when negotiating a deal with a cable company or Amazon Prime is a very fair question to ask and explore,” — Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative

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• “The NFL's media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry,” — NFL spokesperson

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• “We've been surviving and thriving on the basis of being available to the broadest audience,” — Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

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Goodell will testify on June 10, accompanied by sports-media personality Clay Travis and at least one additional witness. Lawmakers may consider amending the Sports Broadcasting Act if the hearing finds current practices disadvantage consumers.

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