The NFL is one of the most popular sports in the world, but in recent years, it has become harder and harder for fans to watch every single game due to the rise of streaming services. Many have viewed this as an unfortunate reality that comes with the rise of streaming, but a new investigation could signal that things may change for the better for football fans.
Justice Department Investigating NFL for Broadcast Deals
Cable television was long the way fans watched sports, with local games airing on their own networks and national games airing on ESPN, CBS, FOX, and NBC.
However, with streaming gaining access to games, fans have been required to have Netflix for Christmas games, Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football games, and the Black Friday game, and Peacock for select Peacock-only games.
Add to that, the NFL Network has held the rights to international games, which makes it easy to see why it’s been confusing and frustrating for fans trying to find out where they can watch the game.
The Wall Street Journal released an exclusive story about the NFL being under investigation by the Justice Department, citing that these deals are harmful to consumers.
This news sparked a social media frenzy, with some expressing joy and others continuing to voice their frustration with the league for how it’s handled broadcast deals in recent years.
“This is a pretty significant development, and a shot across the bow at NFL extracting additional revenue from streaming agreements,” said Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. “NFL wants current networks to renegotiate their current broadcast rights. Billionaires that own those networks fighting back?”
This is a pretty significant development, and a shot across the bow at NFL extracting additional revenue from streaming agreements. NFL wants current networks to renegotiate their current broadcast rights. Billionaires that own those networks fighting back? https://t.co/nUSLiesUZL
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) April 9, 2026
This has been going on for several years, and the investigation serves as validation for those who have been unhappy with the current broadcast model.
“When you need 10 different streaming services to be able to watch all the games throughout the season, you could justify that the NFL has gone out of its way to make it MORE DIFFICULT to watch the games,” wrote Jesse Morse.
When you need 10 different streaming services to be able to watch all the games throughout the season, you could justify that the NFL has gone out of its way to make it MORE DIFFICULT to watch the games. https://t.co/u3vkOCuqRR
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) April 9, 2026
“This is in the running for best news this week,” Pete Nova added.
Chase Senior of Chat Sports raised an even more interesting point about streaming’s effect on the entire sports world’s landscape, not just the NFL.
“This is pretty much every professional sports league at this point,” Senior said of the streaming deals. “Not just the NFL.”
If the Justice Department’s investigation concludes that the NFL harmed its consumers through these deals, it’s fair to assume that further investigations could be conducted into other sports leagues next. The NBA, NHL, and MLB are all sports that employ similar tactics, and all have different games on different services to varying degrees.
The NFL has responded to the investigation, releasing the following statement:
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“The NFL’s media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry,” the statement noted. “With over 87% of our games on free, broadcast television, including 100% of games in the markets of the competing teams, the NFL has for decades put our fans front and center in how we distribute our content. The 2025 season was our most viewed since 1989 and reflects the strength of the NFL distribution model and its wide availability to all fans.”
The investigation will be worth monitoring for all fans of the sport. How it affects upcoming broadcast distribution, if at all, remains to be seen. Fans can take solace in the fact that an investigation is happening, so they know that a system of checks and balances is being upheld.
