Congress Discusses NFL's Antitrust Exemption During Hearing on Sports Broadcasting Act

During a hearing on the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 on June 10, 2026, Congress addressed the NFL's antitrust exemption, with concerns that the league is using this exemption to charge high prices across various streaming platforms for fans to watch games. The hearing followed a press release from the House Judiciary Committee that criticized the NFL for straying from the original purpose of the law established 65 years ago. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee, expressed his view that the NFL has not upheld its responsibilities, resulting in increased costs for sports fans. Currently, watching every NFL game in 2026 is projected to cost nearly $800 across nine different streaming services. Fitzgerald noted that the original intent of the Sports Broadcasting Act was to promote the distribution of games via free over-the-air television, not to allow leagues to control media rights across multiple platforms for profit. Congress is now tasked with deciding whether to revise, maintain, or eliminate the antitrust exemption.