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Super Bowl champion Steve Beuerlein said fans’ complaints about the number of services the NFL requires to watch games are “very legitimate.”
Beuerlein, 61, said he would definitely side with the fans.
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Steve Beuerlein speaks during the JESPYS Awards at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, California on May 29, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
The former Pro Bowl quarterback also talked about how expensive it is for fans to attend NFL games, calling ticket prices exorbitant.
“It’s almost unaffordable for fans to go to a game and take their family to a game these days in most scenarios. Some owners do a really good job of getting creative and making tickets available to those who otherwise couldn’t afford to go, but the cost is so exorbitant these days,” Beuerlein said.
Beuerlein lamented that fans can’t just watch every game on TV at home for free, calling the NFL’s expansion to streaming services overkill.
“And now to make it even more expensive to stay home and try to get media coverage and watch a game on TV. It’s almost a bit of a stretch if you ask me. I understand the argument from the fans’ point of view,” he said.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Steve Beuerlein plays against the Carolina Panthers during the 1995 Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, July 29, 1995. (Michael C. Hébert/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Beuerlein said he understands it’s a business, but sympathizes with the fans.
“These owners are always trying to find new ways to create revenue streams because salaries are going up for sure and it seems like it’s a never-ending cycle, but I really sympathize with the fans,” Beuerlein said.
NFL fans who want access to every game must purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket” in addition to expensive subscriptions to all the streaming services the NFL uses to broadcast games.
These streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix. The combination of these respective services adds up to over $1,500 per year, and that doesn’t include fees associated with basic cable packages or high-speed Wi-Fi needed to accommodate the platforms.
‘NFL REDZONE’ HOST SCOTT HANSON SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS FANS’ FRUSTRATION OVER COSTS OF STREAMING SUBSCRIPTIONS
Steve Beuerlein waves during a Netflix event for “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California on August 11, 2025. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
The Department of Justice has reportedly opened an investigation into the NFL regarding its use of streaming services.
A March PK Press Club poll indicated that 72% of sports fans believe major sporting events should remain free on television, as the NFL considers allowing teams to sell rights to preseason games to streaming services.
FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty credited FCC Chairman Brendan Carr with identifying that “the public interest is no longer being served and the need for government immunity is less clear” during a recent press conference.
“Indeed, more than 8,000 people submitted comments (to) the FCC, with 98% of those comments expressing their frustration with the streaming migration trend and their hope that broadcasting remains the predominant platform for watching their favorite team,” she said.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a 1997 season game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia on September 7, 1997. (RVR Photos/USA TODAY Sports)
“Good broadcasting policy involves empowering broadcasters to meet this widely felt consumer need and ensuring their continued ability to serve local communities not only through sport, but other programming as well.”
Beuerlein played 14 seasons in the NFL. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. He was a backup quarterback when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1992.
He made the Pro Bowl with the Panthers in 1999. In 147 games (102 starts), he completed 56.9% of passes for 24,046 yards, with 147 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.
