House Judiciary Committee Invites NFL Commissioner Goodell to Testify on Sports Broadcasting Act

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been invited to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on June 10 about the league's broadcast contracts and whether they harm American consumers. Jim Jordan, chairman of the committee, sent the invitation in a letter to Goodell on Monday.

The hearing will examine whether updated laws are needed to regulate how professional sports leagues negotiate television deals.

Jordan's letter notes that Congress granted pro sports leagues a limited antitrust exemption in 1961 under the Sports Broadcasting Act. That law allows leagues to negotiate their television deals collectively. Jordan told ESPN that the media landscape has changed considerably since 1961.

"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 said. " The Sports Broadcasting Act was written before cable or streaming services existed. Courts have ruled that the antitrust exemption does not apply to cable, satellite, or streaming services.

Jordan said the committee will examine whether leagues can legally negotiate together when dealing with cable companies or streaming platforms. "The idea they can collude when negotiating a deal with a cable company or Amazon Prime is a very fair question to ask and explore," Jordan said.

The Department of Justice launched an investigation into the NFL's use of the Sports Broadcasting Act in April.

Goodell defended the league's distribution strategy in an interview with ESPN in late April. "We've been surviving and thriving on the basis of being available to the broadest audience," Goodell said. The NFL currently holds television contracts with ESPN/ABC, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Prime Video, and Netflix.

Subscriptions are required to watch Monday Night Football games on ESPN that are not simulcast on ABC, Thursday Night Football and the Black Friday game on Prime Video, and Christmas games on Netflix. Some international games air on NFL Network, which is owned by ESPN. Select postseason games also require subscriptions.

The NFL has awarded select games to ESPN+ and Peacock in the past. All games air free on local stations in the broadcast markets of the teams playing. "The NFL's media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry," the NFL said in a statement.

The House Judiciary Committee asked the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB to prepare briefings on the antitrust exemption a year ago. Goodell will be joined at the hearing by sports media personality Clay Travis and at least one other witness, according to a congressional source.

Goodell has testified before Congress on prior occasions, including a 2009 hearing on concussions and a 2022 hearing on workplace issues at the Washington Commanders.