Justice Department Investigates NFL Over Broadcast Deals as Antitrust Exemption Draws Scrutiny
The Justice Department is investigating the NFL’s exclusive streaming deals amid fan frustration over fragmented and paid access. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr questions whether the league should retain its special antitrust exemption, initially established by the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. Pak Gazette contributor Jonathan Turley suggests Congress examine the NFL’s monopoly structure, highlighting its $25 billion annual revenue and rising fan costs.
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“NFL RedZone” host Scott Hanson said he understands why fans are frustrated with the NFL and the number of services the league requires for fans to watch games.
Hanson, 54, said he is the type of person who goes out and buys all the services to watch the games in prime time.
“There’s no shortage of conversations about that topic there. I’m a broadcaster, but I’m also a football fan. When I’m not on the air, on the NFL RedZone broadcast, I watch all the independent national games. So I’m one of those people who gets this subscription, that subscription, this avenue to watch all the games. I can understand the frustration,” Hanson told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with NFL Network’s Scott Hanson before Super Bowl LVI between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 13, 2022. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFL fans who want access to all the games must purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to expensive subscriptions to all the streaming services the NFL uses to broadcast games.
Those streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock, and Netflix. The combination of those respective services exceeds $1,500 a year, and that doesn’t include the fees that come with the basic cable or high-speed Wi-Fi packages needed to accommodate the platforms.
Hanson said the NFL wants to be mindful of how it distributes its product.
“The NFL, however, has made a statement saying that it has more games on broadcast television, you know, traditional broadcast television, the major traditional broadcast networks than any other major sports league in North America, at least, which is true,” Hanson said.
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NFL Network’s Scott Hanson speaks onstage during day three of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 26, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“However, the NFL wants to be conscious of how we serve the fans and how the product is distributed. They recognize that, yes, okay, now you need this subscription, that subscription, this platform to be able to watch the games. It’s a balancing act.”
Hanson said the NFL needs to balance making money without putting a price on fans.
“The NFL is a for-profit business, right? It is. They make a lot of money. They also impact American society. So maximizing the business and at the same time keeping the fans as engaged and passionate, as the incredible NFL fans are, is a balancing act that they will try to find a good balance,” Hanson said.
The Department of Justice has reportedly opened an investigation into the NFL for its use of streaming services.
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NFL Network host Scott Hanson performs on stage during Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri on April 29, 2023. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
A Pak Gazette poll in March indicated that 72% of sports fans think major sporting events should remain free on television, amid reports that the NFL is considering allowing teams to sell the rights to preseason games to streaming services.
FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty credited FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for identifying that “the public interest is no longer served and the need for government immunity is less clear” at a recent press conference.
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“In fact, more than 8,000 people have submitted comments to the FCC, and 98% of those comments express frustration with the streaming migration trend and their hope that streaming will remain the preeminent platform for watching their favorite team,” he said. “Getting broadcast policy right includes empowering broadcasters to respond to this widely felt consumer need and ensuring broadcasters’ continued ability to serve local communities not only through sports but other programming as well.”
