The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the National Football League over its media rights deals, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter.
The probe, launched under President Trump’s DOJ, is examining whether the league has engaged in anticompetitive practices that could harm consumers. The exact scope of the investigation remains unclear.
The inquiry comes amid growing scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and fans over the rising cost and complexity of watching NFL games. In recent years, the league has spread its broadcast rights across multiple networks and streaming platforms, requiring consumers to subscribe to several services to access a full slate of games.
Last season, some fans spent close to $1,000 on a combination of cable and streaming subscriptions to watch every NFL game. Critics argue that the fragmentation of media rights has made viewing more expensive and confusing.
In February, the Federal Communications Commission sought public comment on how these changes have affected consumers, signaling a potential shift in policy. The move was widely viewed as a precursor to revisiting the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which grants leagues like the NFL limited antitrust protection when collectively negotiating television rights.
Lawmakers have also taken notice. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, recently urged federal regulators to review the league’s exemption. In a letter, Lee highlighted the growing financial burden on fans trying to follow the sport.
The NFL has defended its current model, stating that 87% of its games remain available on local television. The league also notes that games carried on streaming platforms are still broadcast locally in the markets of the competing teams.
At the same time, the NFL’s media business continues to grow. Its most recent rights agreements are worth more than $100 billion and run through the early 2030s. The league has benefited from surging viewership, driven in part by the expansion of legal sports betting and fantasy football.
Technology companies such as Amazon and Netflix have also entered the market, investing billions in exclusive NFL content. While this shift has accelerated the decline of traditional cable bundles, it has also contributed to a more fragmented viewing landscape.
The investigation comes as the NFL considers reopening its existing media deals to secure higher fees. Under current agreements with CBS, Fox and NBC, the league has the option to opt out after the 2029–2030 season. It is reportedly weighing whether to waive that option in exchange for increased payments and extended contracts.
Media companies, meanwhile, face mounting pressure as sports rights remain their largest expense while traditional TV audiences continue to shrink.
The DOJ’s investigation could have significant implications for how the NFL structures its future media deals—and for how fans access the most popular sport in the United States.
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