Lawmakers Question Rising NFL Streaming Costs for Fans
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, addresses a congressional hearing on the NFL’s streaming practices and rising costs for fans. Jordan discusses the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and antitrust concerns, as fans face exorbitant prices to access every game on multiple platforms. It highlights the need for affordable access to NFL content for all voters, not just those who can afford expensive packages.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has raised concerns about the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions off its broadcasts on more and more streaming services. The issue has attracted the attention of Congress and the FCC.
“I think it’s important that we continue to make sure that, you know, all fans can have a way to watch our games,” O’Connell told PK Press Club Digital during a press conference Thursday for the American Century Championship golf tournament.
“I hope a lot of them make it out, whether it’s at US Bank Stadium, SoFi Stadium or one of the big venues we have in our league. And there’s nothing like being there, but I can tell you it’s very important to the NFL that our games are accessible to as many fans as possible.”
Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann says the NFL is losing tradition in favor of planning for the streaming era.
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, Missouri on November 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
O’Connell nevertheless defended the league’s media rights contracts and believes that using different streaming services can also help grow the fan base.
“I think it’s an alignment with the evolution of a lot of sports media, but also media in general, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of 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 accessible to every fan possible, we’re always trying to find different avenues. For new fans… not just in the United States, but definitely globally as well.”
NFL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL THANK YOU GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL STREAM ON NETFLIX
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during the second half at Soldier Field on September 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 on traditional broadcast networks, cable and several streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will stream “Thursday Night Football,” Netflix will stream Week 1 games on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream a regular-season game in January.
The NFL noted that its games remain available for free live in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it was the only sports league to present all regular season and playoff games on live free television in local markets.
But the broader issue of access is still under scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim report on the NFL’s sports broadcasting law and media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of live, 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 a team’s games.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also asked the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fall within the Sports Broadcasting Act’s limited antitrust protections. 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 come as he prepares to compete in the U.S. Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.
The event is expected to feature a star-studded lineup, 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 perform.
