Overview
- Federal investigators opened the case Thursday after reports that the NFL may have used anticompetitive tactics tied to how it sells and streams games.
- A government official confirmed the inquiry and said it centers on affordability for consumers and a level playing field for providers.
- The FCC launched a separate review in February and noted NFL games ran across about 10 services last season, with some estimates topping $1,500 to watch every game.
- The NFL said more than 87% of its games air on free broadcast TV and that every game is shown free in the local markets of the teams playing.
- Lawmakers from both parties have questioned the NFL’s 1961 antitrust exemption as rights renegotiations loom, a shift that could reshape how future games are packaged and priced.