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NFL under investigation by the Justice Department over anticompetitive practices with consumers

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Updated  April 9, 2026 12:41pm EDT
NFL
FOX 5 Atlanta
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FILE-Jason Myers #5 of the Seattle Seahawks kicks a field goal against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

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The Brief

    • The Department of Justice has launched an investigation against the National Football League, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
    • The federal agency's probe is tied to whether the sport's league engaged in anticompetitive practices related to TV broadcasting deals.
    • Currently, the NFL has television deals with major networks, including FOX, NBC, CBS, and ESPN.

The National Football League is under investigation by the Justice Department centered on whether the league was involved in anticompetitive practices affecting consumers, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the situation. 

What is the NFL-DOJ probe about?

Dig deeper:

While the extent of the NFL investigation wasn't immediately learned, The Wall Street Journal referenced the Sports Broadcasting Act, which allows the NFL limited antitrust protection to allow the teams to collectively negotiate packages of television rights. 

Additionally, media organizations, regulators and congressional members have been concerned regarding the challenges for consumers to watch their favorite sports gamers related to the rights deals in which leagues offer limited packages of games to consumers. 

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According to The Wall Street Journal, when the act was passed in 1961, consumers were able to watch NFL games over broadcast television. Today, games appear on a variety of channels and platforms, some of which require viewers to have a paid subscription. 

The sale of CBS parent Paramount to Skydance Media resulted in a change-of-ownership clause permitting the NFL to renegotiate its $2.1 billion annual agreement. The Wall Street Journal noted that if the NFL comes to a new agreement with CBS, the league is likely to focus on new deals with other rights holders. 

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Moreover, the NFL's television deals with FOX, CBS, NBC and Amazon expire after the 2033 season, while its agreement with ESPN is slated to end after the 2034 season.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Wall Street Journal. This story was reported from Washington, D.C. 

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