NFL Declines To Testify at Media Rights Hearing

Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has called executives from major U.S. sports leagues to testify Tuesday, May 6, 2025, hearing focused on the shift of sports media from traditional broadcast television to streaming platforms. 

Invitations were extended to representatives from Major League Baseball (MLB’s Kenny Gersh), the National Basketball Association (NBA’s Bill Koenig), and the National Hockey League (NHL’s David Proper), all of whom have confirmed their attendance. The National Football League (NFL), however, declined to participate, a decision that comes amid heightened scrutiny following an antitrust verdict related to its Sunday Ticket package.

While the hearing is unlikely to produce immediate policy changes, it serves as a platform for lawmakers to spotlight concerns about the evolving sports media landscape. Senate hearings often prioritize political posturing over substantive outcomes, but Cruz’s invitation letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell included a pointed reference to the league’s unique legal status. 

He wrote, “Given the unique federal statutes that apply to the NFL’s broadcasting rights, such as the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, the Committee is especially interested in understanding how the League balances commercial innovation and its legal responsibilities.” This statement underscores ongoing questions about the NFL’s antitrust exemption, which has shielded its broadcasting practices for decades.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 permits sports leagues to bundle their teams’ broadcasting rights into centralized, league-controlled packages, enabling blockbuster deals like the NFL’s national TV contracts. This exemption has long insulated the league from antitrust challenges, but recent legal setbacks, including the Sunday Ticket ruling, have renewed calls to reexamine its protections. If the act were repealed—a speculative but potentially seismic shift—teams could negotiate individual TV deals for their home games. 

High-market franchises like the Dallas Cowboys could secure lucrative contracts, while smaller-market teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars might struggle to compete, potentially relegated to niche platforms.

The hearing, set to begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET, will explore how leagues are navigating the transition to streaming services like Amazon, Apple, and YouTube, which have increasingly secured exclusive sports media rights. This shift has raised concerns about accessibility for fans, particularly those without reliable internet or subscriptions, as well as the implications for competition and consumer choice. The MLB, NBA, and NHL have embraced streaming to varying degrees, with deals like MLB’s streaming partnerships and the NBA’s global digital platforms. The NFL’s absence from the hearing may draw additional attention, given its massive media footprint and ongoing legal battles.