What NFL Fans Need To Know About The DOJ’s Investigation Of The League

BusinessMediaWhat NFL Fans Need To Know About The DOJ’s Investigation Of The LeagueBySabrina Reed,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Sabrina Reed is a journalist who covers Hollywood and the TV industry.Follow AuthorMay 15, 2026, 06:16pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 05: A detailed view of a NFL football is seen with the NFL logo during the NFL 2025 game between Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe federal government is concerned that fans of the NFL are being priced out of watching America’s most popular sport. This is a bipartisan issue that escalated in April when it was confirmed that the Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation. The probe is focused on whether the NFL engaged in alleged anti-competitive practices when securing its television deals, which includes putting some games behind pay-walled streaming platforms. While the nature and scope of the investigation is unknown, reportedly the league’s antitrust exemptions granted through the Sports Broadcasting Act could be under review.What Is the Sports Broadcasting Act?Enacted in 1961, the SBA exempts the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL from the nation’s antitrust laws when it comes to telecasting their matches. The law enables the leagues to blackout home games and sets parameters for when they can air matches so as not to compete with high school and college teams.But its provisions were established at a time when free over-the-air broadcasting was the only means for television watchers to tune into games played across the country. The pay-TV model for sports programming changed the industry when it was introduced, but streaming has taken distribution to new and more costly heights as game discovery has not only got...