Lawmakers question rising NFL streaming costs for fans
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, addresses a congressional hearing probing the NFL’s streaming practices and rising costs for fans. Jordan discusses the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act and antitrust concerns, as fans face exorbitant prices to access all games across multiple platforms. He emphasizes the need for affordable access to NFL content for all constituents, not just those who can afford expensive packages.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed concerns over the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions off broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has prompted the attention of Congress and the FCC.
“I think it’s important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have a pathway to watching our games,” O’Connell told Digital at a Thursday news conference for the American Century Championship golf tournament.
“Hopefully a lot of them make it out to whether to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the, you know, great venues we have in our league. And there’s nothing like being there, but I can tell you that it’s very important for the NFL to have our games be available to as many of our fans as we possibly can.”
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The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Still, O’Connell defended the league’s media rights contracts, and believes utilizing different streaming services can also help grow the fan base.
“I think it’s an alignment with where a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has kind of gone, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of the different aspects of where games are available,” he said.
“I know our game is very, very popular and I know it’s a very important thing for the league to continue to make our game available to every possible fan out there, we’re always trying to find different pathways. To new fans… not only in the United States, but it’s clear globally as well.”
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2025. (Matt Marton/Imagn Images)
The issue has become a larger part of the NFL media conversation. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games across traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will carry “Thursday Night Football,” Netflix will stream games in Week 1, on Thanksgiving Eve and on Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream a regular-season game in January.
The NFL has noted that its games remain available free over the air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league that presents all regular-season and postseason games on free over-the-air television in local markets.
But the broader access question has still drawn scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to watch all of one team’s games.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the Sports Broadcasting Act’s limited antitrust protection. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and internet costs were combined.
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O’Connell’s comments came as he is set to compete in the American Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.
The event is set to feature a star-studded lineup of competitors, including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play.
