By The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the National Football League, examining whether the league’s approach to negotiating broadcast and streaming rights amounts to anticompetitive behavior that could disadvantage consumers, according to individuals familiar with the matter.
At the center of the inquiry is how the NFL structures its increasingly complex media deals—arrangements that have made it more difficult for fans to watch games without maintaining multiple subscriptions across a growing array of platforms. The probe comes as regulators, lawmakers, and media companies intensify scrutiny of the fragmented modern sports broadcasting landscape, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The investigation will likely revisit the framework established by the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which grants the NFL limited antitrust exemptions, particularly allowing teams to collectively negotiate television rights. While that model once simplified access for viewers, critics argue the league’s recent shift toward distributing smaller packages of games across streaming services has complicated the viewing experience, forcing fans to navigate a patchwork of cable, broadcast, and digital options.
Details regarding the exact scope and nature of the Justice Department’s investigation remain unclear at this time. Spokespeople for both the Justice Department and the NFL declined to provide any comment on the probe.
The inquiry reflects how dramatically the viewing environment has changed since 1961, when most NFL games aired on free broadcast television. Today, games are spread across numerous networks and subscription-based platforms, significantly raising the cost and complexity of access.
That shift has already drawn attention from other federal bodies. In February, the Federal Communications Commission began seeking public input on how evolving media distribution models affect consumers. Lawmakers have also stepped in. Last month, Sen. Mike Lee, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, urged federal regulators to review the league’s longstanding antitrust exemption.
In his letter, Sen. Lee highlighted the financial burden on fans, writing: “To watch every NFL game during the past season, football fans spent almost $1,000 on cable and streaming subscriptions.”
The NFL has pushed back on such criticisms, emphasizing that the majority of its games remain widely accessible. The league notes that 87% of its contests are still available on local television—more than many other major sports leagues that have shifted heavily toward premium cable and streaming models. It also points out that games aired on streaming platforms are still broadcast in the local markets of the participating teams.
The timing of the Justice Department’s probe is notable, coming as the NFL positions itself for its next round of lucrative media negotiations. Under its current agreements with CBS, NBC, and Fox, the league has the option to exit its contracts following the 2029–30 season—opening the door to potentially higher-value deals.
Recent corporate developments have further complicated the landscape. The acquisition of Paramount Global—the parent company of CBS—by Skydance Media triggered a change-of-ownership clause in the NFL’s agreement, allowing for renegotiation of its roughly $2.1 billion annual deal with the network. Paramount CEO David Ellison has expressed confidence in maintaining the longstanding partnership, which also includes a minority ownership stake held by the NFL.
For traditional media companies, NFL rights remain among the most expensive—and most valuable—assets, even as linear television audiences continue to decline. Should the league secure revised terms with CBS, it is expected to pursue similar renegotiations with its other broadcast partners.
The Justice Department’s review highlights a broader tension shaping the sports media economy: leagues are seeking to maximize revenue through increasingly fragmented distribution models, while fans face rising costs and logistical hurdles to follow their teams. The outcome of the probe could carry significant implications for how professional sports leagues structure their media rights in the years ahead and how sports fans will be able to watch their teams.
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