The House Judiciary Committee has asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify at a hearing focused on the Sports Broadcast Act of 1961. This request, dated Monday, aims to explore whether sports leagues have used this act to negatively affect consumers. The letter, acquired by Fox News and OutKick, was sent by Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio. Goodell is expected to testify on June 10. The letter formally asks Goodell to communicate his decision by June 3 and is not an official subpoena, meaning participation is optional.
In the letter addressed to Goodell, it states, “We respectfully request your testimony at a hearing titled ‘Examining the Sports Broadcasting Act’ on June 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building.” The hearing aims to analyze the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and its impact on the modern broadcast market for major sports leagues. It intends to investigate how the distribution of professional sports has evolved and whether the antitrust exemption the SBA provides has been used in ways detrimental to consumers. The hearing will also assess if legislative changes may be necessary.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 grants leagues like the NFL a limited antitrust exemption, allowing teams to jointly negotiate television rights. This collective bargaining arrangement has proven financially advantageous, enabling the NFL to create substantial revenue through its media-rights agreements, which are valued at over $110 billion through 2033. Annual values for broadcast partners include ABC/ESPN at $2.7 billion, FOX at $2.2 billion, CBS at $2.1 billion, and NBC at $2 billion.
The ongoing investigations by Congress, the Department of Justice, and the FCC are evaluating if the Act’s provisions have been leveraged improperly, sending games to subscription-based streaming services. Potential consequences from these inquiries could significantly influence the NFL’s operational strategies.
In past engagements, the NFL has argued that its model supports consumer interests, highlighting that 87% of games are accessible on free TV. Nevertheless, the shift to paid streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix has sparked consumer discontent, with subscription costs cited as a burden. Amazon Prime has exclusive rights to an annual Black Friday game and 15 Thursday Night Football games, while Netflix and Peacock offer select streaming options.
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