DOJ Launches Antitrust Probe Into NFL Streaming

The United States Department of Justice has opened a formal antitrust investigation into the National Football League, examining whether the league is forcing excessive subscription fees on consumers through its streaming television deals. The probe could fundamentally reshape how professional sports are distributed and priced in the streaming era.

The problem: games spread across 10 platforms

NFL games are currently distributed across approximately 10 different streaming platforms, including Prime Video, Netflix, Peacock, Paramount+, and several others. For fans who want to watch all NFL games, the cumulative cost of multiple subscriptions runs into hundreds of dollars per month -- a dramatic increase from the era when most games aired on free broadcast television.

Legal basis: 1961 exemption does not cover streaming

The NFL has long benefited from an antitrust exemption under the Sports Broadcast Act of 1961, which allows the league to negotiate television contracts collectively rather than team by team. However, that exemption was written specifically for broadcast television and does not extend to streaming platforms. Senator Mike Lee has expressed support for the investigation, arguing that the league is exploiting a legal grey area.

NFL's response

The NFL has pushed back, stating that 87% of its games remain available on free broadcast television. The league maintains that its streaming deals expand access rather than restrict it.

Broader implications

The outcome of this investigation could set precedent well beyond football. Every major professional sports league has aggressively pursued streaming deals in recent years, and a ruling against the NFL would likely force all of them to reconsider their distribution strategies, potentially leading to more affordable and simplified viewing options for consumers.