Story perspectives

Congress Schedules NFL Streaming Hearing; Goodell Refuses Testimony

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Congress set a June 10 hearing on NFL broadcast contracts and 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act’s streaming rules.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to testify because of litigation.
Department of Justice opened an antitrust probe of the league’s streaming deals.
President Donald Trump criticized the rising cost to fans.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Mike Lee introduced blackout legislation while 21 members of Congress sent a letter urging caution on law changes.

History

Historical Context

In 1982 the Department of Justice, under Attorney General William French Smith, sued the NFL and secured a $1.5 billion settlement that added 30 percent more games to cable. The verdict revived scrutiny of the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, enacted after antitrust rulings like Radovich v. NFL (1957) that ended football’s blanket exemption, a framework championed by Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

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Story summary

Congress set a June 10 hearing on NFL broadcast contracts and 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act’s streaming rules.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to testify because of litigation.
Department of Justice opened an antitrust probe of the league’s streaming deals.
President Donald Trump criticized the rising cost to fans.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Mike Lee introduced blackout legislation while 21 members of Congress sent a letter urging caution on law changes.

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