Overview
- The Justice Department, which opened a probe Thursday, is examining whether the NFL used anti-competitive tactics that pushed fans into high subscription costs, according to people familiar with the matter.
- The investigation follows pressure in Washington after Sen. Mike Lee asked the DOJ and FTC to review the league’s antitrust status and as the FCC reviews thousands of public comments that favor keeping more games on free broadcast TV.
- The NFL has said 87% of its games air on free over-the-air television and called its distribution model the most accessible and fan-friendly in sports.
- For viewers, regular-season games now live across YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket along with Amazon Prime, Peacock, and Netflix, with reports estimating about $1,000 to more than $1,500 a year to watch every game.
- The Wall Street Journal first reported the probe, the DOJ and the NFL declined to comment, and the review centers on how the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 applies to exclusive, paywalled streaming.