NFL Addresses Concerns from TV Broadcasters and Donald Trump About Game Streaming Changes
Two prominent NFL executives addressed concerns from broadcasters regarding the increasing number of games moving to streaming platforms, labeling the complaints as “odd” while defending their media rights arrangement as “the most fan-friendly model there is.”
During a media conference call on Friday, Chief Operating Officer Hans Schroeder and Executive Vice President Jeff Miller responded to criticisms from Fox Corp. and the National Association of Broadcasters about the Sports Broadcasting Act. This 1961 legislation exempts the NFL from antitrust scrutiny, but critics argue it should be reconsidered given the rise of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, which are capturing more game broadcasts in today’s complex media landscape.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Justice have also initiated investigations into the league’s relationships with broadcasters. The NAB noted in a filing with the FCC that “global streaming behemoths are increasingly locking live sports behind paywalls, creating a costly and confusing viewing experience for fans.”
Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump voiced support for this perspective during an interview on *Full Measure with Sharon Atkisson*, stating, “You’ve got people that love football. They don’t make enough money to go and pay this. It’s tough.”
This week, Netflix announced an expansion of its agreement with the NFL, adding rights to three additional games for the 2026-27 season, alongside its Christmas Day doubleheader. Amazon is also expanding its Prime Video offerings beyond Thursday Night Football, while NBCUniversal’s Peacock has begun streaming exclusive games.
“We love our model,” Schroeder stated. “We think we have the most fan-friendly model there is of any sport or entertainment as far as distribution. One hundred percent of our games are on over-the-air in the home markets, and 87% are distributed primarily through broadcast. We know fans are increasingly spending their time on other platforms as well. They tune into broadcasts for the NFL, and that’s where we want to be, but we also want to be on these platforms.”
Miller acknowledged the league’s awareness of feedback from the FCC and broadcasters, noting increased scrutiny and vocal inquiries from various stakeholders.
“That’s a little bit odd given the relationship that we’ve had with the broadcasters and the fact that we continue to keep all of our games on broadcast television,” Miller commented. He pointed out that the NFL was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame a couple of years ago, suggesting that the relationship was fundamentally positive.
Miller cast doubt on the necessity of reassessing the Sports Broadcasting Act, questioning how such changes would benefit broadcasters. “If I were a local broadcaster, I would ask the NAB how that benefits me,” he said. “We’re committed to being on broadcast television in ways that other content is not.”
He further emphasized the league’s commitment to broadcast television during a recent presentation to the FCC, expressing confusion over the criticisms from broadcasters.
When asked about the current dynamics between the NFL and broadcasters, Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch stated earlier this week that he perceives “no tension” with the league. He highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by streaming services and the league’s plans to secure billions more from existing rights partners amid a renegotiation of contracts scheduled to run through 2033, a shift prompted by a recent merger involving CBS parent company Paramount and Skydance.
