'Sources: DOJ opens antitrust investigation of NFL over TV deals'

[sop]

(ESPN) "The Justice Department has begun an investigation into whether the NFL has violated anticompetitive practices with its television contracts that require consumers to pay subscription costs to watch some games, sources confirmed to ABC News."

" 'This is about affordability and creating an even playing field for providers,' a government official told ABC News."

"The Wall Street Journal first reported the news, writing that the 'nature and scope' of the Justice Department's investigation were unknown."

"The NFL has an antitrust exemption for the negotiating of its television contracts through the Sports Broadcast Act of 1961, which only applies to broadcast television. Courts have ruled in the past that it does not apply to other media, including cable, satellite and streaming."

Continued at link:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48440303/sources-doj-opens-antitrust-investigation-nfl-tv-deals

[usonian]

1. Surprise! There's history.

The NFL rejected Trump's ownership bid for the New England Patriots
https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/new-england-patriots/2025/07/10/686eedf8ca474169568b456e.html
Titled: Donald Trump is rejected by the NFL

He previously failed to purchase the Buffalo Bills
https://playersbio.com/donald-trumps-failed-2014-buffalo-bid-is-tied-to-his-controversial-nfl-history/
Titled: Donald Trump’s Failed 2014 Buffalo Bills Bid Is Tied to His Controversial NFL History and the Usfl Antitrust Lawsuit


and this all started in the 1980's when he "won" an antitrust case against the NFL
https://www.davemanuel.com/2025/07/11/donald-trump-nfl-lawsuit/
Titled: Donald Trump vs. the NFL

for his USFL New Jersey Generals. The case netted him $1, $3 with triple damages, and resulted in the end of the USFL, rather than his desired merger of the two leagues.

Strictly “get even with these bastards”

“ anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers?”
Just one.

[sop]

2. So many other antitrust cases the DOJ could pursue...

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Basically What I Said In The Sports Group

They ignored so many anti-competitive business practices. They even facilitated mergers that will only harm the consumer.
Now they care about corporate pricing fairness?

[Angleae]

5. It all depends on who's doing the complaining.

In this case some think it's Trump but I think it's the broadcast networks (ABC/CBS/NBC/FOX)

[ProfessorGAC]

6. I Have My Doubts

They already have their deals.
If they wanted to restrict further distribution, they would have written the contracts that way.

[Angleae]

7. 2 have deals(CBS/FOX). ABC & NBC are left out in the cold.

[Auggie]

3. Extortion coming in 5, 4, 3, 2 ...