Lawmakers question rising NFL streaming costs for fans
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is holding a congressional hearing investigating the NFL’s streaming practices and rising costs for fans. Jordan discusses the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act and antitrust concerns as fans face exorbitant prices to access all games across multiple platforms. He emphasizes the need for affordable access to NFL content for all constituents, not just those who can afford expensive packages.
NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed concerns about the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions off broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has drawn attention from Congress and the FCC.
“I think it’s important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have a way to watch our games,” O’Connell told Pakinomist Digital at a Thursday press conference for the American Century Championship golf tournament.
“Hopefully a lot of them make it, whether they’re going to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the, you know, great venues that we have in our league. And there’s nothing like being there, but I can tell you that it’s very important to the NFL to have our game available to as many of our fans as we possibly can.”
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN SAYS NFL’S MISSING TRADITION FOR STREAMING-ERA SCHEDULING
The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Still, O’Connell defended the league’s media rights contracts and believes using various streaming services can also help grow the fan base.
“I think it’s consistent with how many, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has become in a way where the consumer chooses different ways to find their entertainment, and I think a lot of the different aspects of where games are available,” he said.
“I know our game is very, very popular and I know it’s a very important thing for the league to continue to make our game available to all kinds of fans out there, we’re always trying to find different avenues. For new fans… not just in the United States, but obviously globally.”
NFL ANNOUNCES IMPACT THANKSGIVING NIGHT GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL BE STREAMED ON NETFLIX
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (Matt Marton/Imagn Images)
The question has become a bigger part of the NFL media conversation. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games across traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will carry “Thursday Night Football,” Netflix will stream games in Week 1, on Thanksgiving Eve and on Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream a regular season game in January.
The NFL has noted that its games will remain available for free over the air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league to present all regular-season and postseason games on free-to-air television in local markets.
But the broader access issue has still received attention in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released a preliminary staff report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model that said fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to watch all of a team’s games.
Late. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also asked the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the Sports Broadcasting Act’s limited antitrust protections. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and Internet costs were combined.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
O’Connell’s comments came as he will compete in the American Century Championship for the first time at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.
The event is set to feature a star-studded lineup of competitors, including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play.
