NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on June 10 amid growing congressional scrutiny of the league’s television rights deals and the 65-year-old antitrust exemption that makes them possible.
In a letter sent Monday to Goodell, Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) requested the commissioner’s appearance at the hearing titled to examine sports broadcasting agreements with traditional networks and streaming platforms. The letter, first reported by ESPN, directly questions whether Congress should revise or repeal the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
That 1961 law gives professional football, baseball, basketball, and hockey leagues a limited exemption from federal antitrust laws. It allows the NFL to negotiate national television contracts as a single entity rather than as 32 separate teams — an arrangement that has produced massive rights fees from broadcasters such as CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and others.
The league’s current media deals, valued at roughly $10 billion annually, are set to expire in coming years. Streaming services are playing an increasingly prominent role, prompting questions about whether the old antitrust exemption still serves the public interest or requires modernization.
Jordan’s letter signals Republican-led concerns over competition, consumer costs, and the balance of power between leagues, broadcasters, and fans. It marks the latest instance of Congress inserting itself into the business of major American sports leagues, which have historically enjoyed significant regulatory leeway.
Goodell’s appearance on June 10 would place him in the hot seat before lawmakers who have shown willingness to challenge the NFL on issues ranging from player safety and gambling to media practices.
Committee staff have not yet confirmed whether Goodell will attend, but the chairman’s formal request carries the weight of a congressional subpoena threat if ignored.
The hearing is expected to feature testimony on how the 1961 Act affects current and future rights negotiations, the growth of out-of-market streaming packages, and potential implications for ticket prices, fan access, and competitive balance across professional sports.