What NFL Fans Need To Know About The DOJ’s Investigation Of The League
The DOJ has launched a probe into the NFL that could have a major impact on the availability of games on streaming and fans paying to watch them.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 05: A detailed view of a NFL football is seen with the NFL logo during the NFL 2025 game between Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Getty Images The federal government is concerned that fans of the NFL are being priced out of watching America’s most popular sport. This is a bipartisan issue that escalated in April when it was confirmed that the Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation .
The probe is focused on whether the NFL engaged in alleged anti-competitive practices when securing its television deals, which includes putting some games behind pay-walled streaming platforms. While the nature and scope of the investigation is unknown, reportedly the league’s antitrust exemptions granted through the Sports Broadcasting Act could be under review. What Is the Sports Broadcasting Act?
Enacted in 1961, the SBA exempts the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL from the nation’s antitrust laws when it comes to telecasting their matches. The law enables the leagues to blackout home games and sets parameters for when they can air matches so as not to compete with high school and college teams. But its provisions were established at a time when free over-the-air broadcasting was the only means for television watchers to tune into games played across the country.
The pay-TV model for sports programming changed the industry when it was introduced, but streaming has taken distribution to new and more costly heights as game discovery has not only gotten more difficult but has also required consumers to pay more than one platform to watch the teams they love. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 25: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown against Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K.
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