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Justice Department Opens Investigation Into NFL Media Practices

By  |  April 9, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly opened an investigation into the business practices of the National Football League, focusing on whether the league’s media strategies have become anticompetitive as the cost of watching games continues to rise for fans.

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    According to  The Wall Street Journal, federal officials are examining concerns that fans are being forced to pay increasingly high prices—sometimes as much as $1,500 annually—to access games spread across multiple streaming platforms. The investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of how professional sports leagues distribute their broadcast rights.

    At the center of the issue is the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which has long shielded leagues like the NFL from certain antitrust challenges. The law allows teams to pool their media rights and sell them collectively, creating lucrative national television packages. Critics now argue that this arrangement may no longer serve the public interest in an era dominated by streaming services and fragmented viewing options.

    Concerns about accessibility have also been raised by regulators. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, recently warned that the NFL could risk losing its antitrust protections if it continues shifting too many live games behind paywalls. The comments reflect growing unease in both Congress and regulatory agencies about the league’s evolving media strategy.

    The Wall Street Journal’s reporting has drawn additional attention because of its ownership ties to Rupert Murdoch, whose media empire includes Fox Corporation—one of the NFL’s key broadcast partners. Last week, the publication ran an editorial questioning whether the league still “deserves” its antitrust exemption, according to the Wall Street Journal.

    The potential consequences of losing that exemption could be significant. Without it, teams would likely need to negotiate their own television deals individually. This could lead to major revenue disparities across franchises, potentially destabilizing the league’s salary cap system and overall competitive balance.

    Related: FCC Warns NFL Risks Antitrust Trouble as More Games Move to Streaming

    Some observers believe the situation may also reflect broader tensions between the NFL and its broadcast partners. The league is reportedly seeking increased payments from networks under existing contracts, many of which include opt-out clauses after the 2029 season. Per the Wall Street Journal, there is speculation that networks such as CBS could soon agree to pay substantially more than the roughly $2.1 billion per year previously negotiated, with the NFL expected to approach Fox next. The league’s deal with ESPN, meanwhile, includes provisions allowing renegotiation after 2030.

    Industry insiders have also questioned whether networks might resist further increases. John Ourand of Puck recently raised the possibility that broadcasters could refuse to pay more for the remaining years of their contracts, setting up a potential standoff with the league.

    Such a scenario would leave the NFL in a difficult position, particularly if its antitrust protections come under threat. The uncertainty underscores the importance of a negotiated resolution that allows both the league and its partners to maintain their current arrangements while addressing mounting political and consumer concerns.

    Source: The Wall Street Journal