Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed concerns about the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has drawn the attention of Congress and the FCC.

“I think it’s important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have an avenue to watch our games,” O’Connell told Pak Gazette Digital at a press conference Thursday for the American Century Championship golf tournament.

“We expect a lot of them to come to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the big stadiums we have in our league. And there’s nothing like being there, but I can tell you it’s very important to the NFL that our games are available to as many fans as possible.”

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN SAYS THE NFL IS LOSING TRADITION IN STREAMING ERA PROGRAMMING

The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Still, O’Connell defended the league’s media rights contracts and believes utilizing different streaming services can also help grow the fan base.

“I think it’s an alignment that a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has gone away, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of the different aspects of where the games are available,” he said.

“I know our game is very, very popular and I know it’s very important for the league to continue to make our game available to as many fans as possible, we’re always trying to find different avenues. For new fans…not just in the United States, but it’s clear globally.”

NFL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL STREAM ON NETFLIX

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (Matt Marton/Image Images)

The topic has become a bigger part of the conversation with the NFL media. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games on traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will stream “Thursday Night Football,” Netflix will stream games in Week 1, Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream one regular-season game in January.

The NFL has noted that its games remain available for free over-the-air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league to present all regular-season and postseason games on free broadcast television in local markets.

But the broader question of access has still come under scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to see all of a team’s games.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also called on the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the limited antitrust protection of the Sports Broadcasting Act. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and internet costs were combined.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP

O’Connell’s comments came as he will compete in the American Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.

The event will feature a star-studded lineup including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed concerns about the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has drawn the attention of Congress and the FCC.

“I think it’s important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have an avenue to watch our games,” O’Connell told Pak Gazette Digital at a press conference Thursday for the American Century Championship golf tournament.

“We expect a lot of them to come to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the big stadiums we have in our league. And there’s nothing like being there, but I can tell you it’s very important to the NFL that our games are available to as many fans as possible.”

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN SAYS THE NFL IS LOSING TRADITION IN STREAMING ERA PROGRAMMING

The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Still, O’Connell defended the league’s media rights contracts and believes utilizing different streaming services can also help grow the fan base.

“I think it’s an alignment that a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has gone away, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of the different aspects of where the games are available,” he said.

“I know our game is very, very popular and I know it’s very important for the league to continue to make our game available to as many fans as possible, we’re always trying to find different avenues. For new fans…not just in the United States, but it’s clear globally.”

NFL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL STREAM ON NETFLIX

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (Matt Marton/Image Images)

The topic has become a bigger part of the conversation with the NFL media. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games on traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will stream “Thursday Night Football,” Netflix will stream games in Week 1, Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream one regular-season game in January.

The NFL has noted that its games remain available for free over-the-air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league to present all regular-season and postseason games on free broadcast television in local markets.

But the broader question of access has still come under scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to see all of a team’s games.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also called on the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the limited antitrust protection of the Sports Broadcasting Act. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and internet costs were combined.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP

O’Connell’s comments came as he will compete in the American Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.

The event will feature a star-studded lineup including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play.