NFL Commissioner Goodell to Skip Congressional Hearing
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will not appear before Congress next week to discuss the league’s broadcasting contracts or the recent trend of airing games through paywalled streaming services.
Goodell declined to accept an invitation to the June 10 House Judiciary Committee hearing, as noted by the league’s general counsel, Ted Ullyott, in a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). The reason cited was “ongoing litigation related to the subject matter of the hearing.”
Jordan, among several lawmakers, has raised concerns about the costs fans face to watch NFL games and whether the league’s streaming agreements comply with the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. This law provides a limited antitrust exemption to the NFL.
This legal framework is only applicable to broadcast networks. Courts have previously interpreted it as not extending to other forms of media, including cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. There is a growing bipartisan interest in amending the law.
This spring, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into potential anti-competitive behavior linked to the league’s broadcasting contracts.
In his correspondence to Jordan, Ullyott mentioned that 87% of league games this season will still air on traditional television. He added that all games in the home markets of competing teams will be broadcasted. According to him, while there’s an increase in games on streaming services, this corresponds with a slight drop in those available on cable.
Ullyott elaborated, stating that the NFL’s choice to license more games to popular streaming services is simply a reflection of the greater reach these platforms provide, compared to the existing pay TV models, while still emphasizing that broadcast television is fundamental to media distribution.
A representative for Jordan did not reply to a request for further comments.
The league also reached out to Jordan with a letter endorsed by 21 lawmakers, highlighting the need for changes in broadcasting regulations. Ullyott’s letter indicated that the Sports Broadcasting Act helps sustain competitive balance by promoting broad media distribution and ensuring substantial revenue sharing among teams along with collectively negotiated salary caps.
In summary, the letter cautioned that if the NFL fails to manage media distribution in line with the established practices following the inception of the Sports Broadcasting Act, fans could face increased costs and disruptions that would ultimately affect the competitive balance that makes NFL games engaging.
