NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has no desire to sit in front of Congress and discuss the Sports Broadcasting Act. Goodell will reportedly “politely decline” an invitation to discuss the NFL’s current media landscape in front of Congress, according to John Ourand of Puck.
Goodell received that invitation Monday, as Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, asked Goodell to take part in a June 10 hearing on the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
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That act, which gave sports leagues an anti-trust exemption to negotiate their own television deals, has come under fire in recent months due to the NFL’s various streaming deals and the rising costs consumers now have to pay to watch every one of their favorite team’s games.
Shortly after sending that invite, Jordan pointed out how much the media landscape has changed since 1961, prompting Congress’ investigation into the issue, per ESPN.
“Back when the Sports Broadcast Act was passed, the promise was you’ll get to watch every one of your team’s games for free,” Jordan told ESPN. “Things have changed dramatically since 1961.”
Jordan is far from the only politician to take up the issue. In April, Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin introduced legislation that would end sports blackouts, making it easier for fans to watch their favorite team’s games. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment over the rising cost of watching NFL games, calling it “very sad” that the ability to watch football was being taken away from fans.
Throughout the entire saga, the NFL has leaned heavily on one one talking point, saying the league has the “most fan-friendly model” in sports broadcasting. That statement hasn’t been enough to deter Congress’ investigation.
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In a letter Monday, Congress explained that its investigation will look into the Sports Broadcasting Act, “which was written before cable or any type of streaming service existed.” Because of that, the act does not touch on whether antitrust deals should apply in those instances.
The NFL has leaned heavily on putting games on cable and streaming services in recent seasons. In addition to broadcast deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC Sports and CBS Sports, the NFL now puts select games on Prime Video and Netflix, two streaming services. Many of those services require either a cable subscription or a separate subscription to view those games, which are blacked out for local fans. ESPN, which does not simulcast all of its games on ABC, requires a cable subscription. Both Prime Video and Netflix require separate subscriptions and aren’t available as part of traditional cable packages.
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While Goodell is expected to decline this invitation, he has appeared in front of Congress before. He discussed allegations of a toxic work environment within the Washington Commanders with Congress in 2022 and appeared at a hearing on concussions in the sport back in 2009.
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