Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the National Football League (NFL) to see if it is involved in practices that reduce competition and potentially harm consumers. Concerns involve the accessibility of sports broadcasts, especially with more games moving from free TV to paid streaming services.
Key Facts
- The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the NFL for possible anticompetitive practices.
- Concerns have been raised about difficulties consumers face in watching sports games.
- There is a trend of selling broadcast rights from free TV to paid streaming services.
- The NFL states that over 87% of its games are aired on free broadcast television.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing the shift of live sports broadcasting to paid services.
- The FCC reports it could cost over $1,500 for consumers to watch all NFL games on different services.
- A 1961 law allows major sports leagues like the NFL to sell TV rights as a package, exempt from some antitrust laws.
- U.S. Senator Mike Lee has asked for a review of the NFL's antitrust exemptions.
