Lawmakers Want FCC Action On Rising Sports Streaming Fees

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to crack down on consolidation in the sports-media market, saying rising prices and shrinking access—exemplified by ESPN’s expanding reach—are harming fans.

In a letter filed Tuesday, the lawmakers asked the FCC to use its “broad authority to promote competition and protect against consolidation” after the agency’s February request for comment on sports broadcasting drew more than 8,000 public submissions complaining that watching sports has become expensive and confusing.

Warren and Ryan said “anticompetitive practices and corporate greed” now force fans to buy multiple subscriptions to follow teams, with NFL games “scattered” across about 10 networks and streaming services and some viewers paying nearly $800 per season for in‑market and national broadcasts. They raised similar concerns about the NBA and MLB.

The letter singles out recent deals it says reduced competition: Disney’s purchase of roughly 70% of Fubo and its integration with Hulu + Live TV, and the NFL’s acquisition of a 10% stake in ESPN. The lawmakers argue those transactions give ESPN greater incentive and ability to raise prices for viewers.

The appeal follows mounting public complaints and the FCC’s fact-finding effort; Warren and Ryan urged the agency to more closely scrutinize distribution and consolidation practices and consider enforcement or policy steps to restore competition and consumer access.