Justice Department Launches Investigation Into Nfl Over Alleged Anticompetition Tactics, Report Says

The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the National Football League, according to media reports.

The agency’s probe is focused connected whether the NFL engaged successful anticompetitive behavior, according to nan Wall Street Journal.

NBC News also reported nan investigation is focused connected nan NFL’s subscription fees, arsenic good arsenic concerns astir alleged antitrust and anticompetitive tactics.

The Independent has requested remark from nan Justice Department.

This comes conscionable weeks aft Republican Senator Mike Lee wrote to nan Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission requesting a “review of antitrust exemptions for nan National Football League’s (NFL) dealings pinch streaming platforms.”

The legislator pointed to nan Sports Broadcasting Act, which he said granted “limited antitrust immunity to let master shot teams to collectively licence nan ‘sponsored telecasts’ of their games to nationalist broadcast networks.”

Lee called connected nan agencies to “examine whether nan NFL’s modern distribution practices — which require fans to salary exorbitant prices for streaming packages — are aligned pinch nan Sports Broadcasting Act,” according to a connection from his office.

When reached for comment, an NFL spokesperson told The Independent: “The NFL’s media distribution exemplary is nan astir instrumentality and broadcaster-friendly successful nan full sports and intermezo industry.”

“With complete 87% of our games connected free, broadcast television, including 100% of games successful nan markets of nan competing teams, nan NFL has for decades put our fans beforehand and halfway successful really we administer our content,” nan spokesperson said.

“The 2025 play was our astir viewed since 1989 and reflects nan spot of nan NFL distribution exemplary and its wide readiness to each fans,” they added.

Just days earlier Lee sent his letter, nan Federal Communications Commission announced it was seeking remark connected nan evolving sports media scenery and nan effect streaming services person had connected nan industry.

“Given nan nexus betwixt sports programming and nan section media marketplace—as good arsenic nan FCC’s ongoing activity to support section news and reporting—we judge it is important for america to measure nan sports media scenery and understand really changes person impacted consumers and broadcasters,” nan agency wrote successful a nationalist notice.