Congress Requests NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Testimony Over Shift to Streaming Services

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has requested NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell testify at a June 10 hearing regarding the league's increasing use of paywalled streaming services for game broadcasts. The inquiry focuses on whether the NFL's media deals comply with the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which provides limited antitrust immunity for broadcast television but may not extend to digital platforms. This federal scrutiny reflects growing concerns over consumer affordability and the potential for anticompetitive practices as live sports migrate away from traditional over-the-air networks.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, initiated the request to examine the extent to which the antitrust exemption created by the Sports Broadcasting Act (SBA) has been utilized by professional sports leagues to the detriment of consumers. The 65-year-old law allows leagues to pool media rights and negotiate as a single entity, protecting them from antitrust lawsuits; however, judicial rulings have historically limited this protection to broadcast networks, excluding cable, satellite, and streaming services. The upcoming hearing aims to determine if legislative remedies are necessary to address potential harms caused by the league's digital distribution strategies.

The congressional inquiry coincides with a broader Justice Department investigation into the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices, specifically focusing on consumer affordability and maintaining a level playing field for providers. Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, previously urged the DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to review the league’s distribution methods, while the FTC has actively sought public comment on the migration of live sports to streaming. Critics of the NFL’s digital pivot include former President Donald Trump, highlighting a bipartisan interest in modernizing the 1961 SBA to reflect the current media landscape.

In response to scrutiny, the NFL maintains that 87% of its games remain available on free television and that games exclusive to streaming or cable are still broadcast over-the-air in the home markets of competing teams. The league has significantly expanded its digital footprint through partnerships with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube TV, and various network-affiliated streamers like Peacock and Paramount+. Recent moves include shifting Thursday Night Football to Prime Video in 2022 and scheduling upcoming exclusive games on Netflix, including an opening-week matchup in Australia between the 49ers and Rams and a Thanksgiving eve game featuring the Packers and Rams.