{"id":569154,"date":"2026-03-28T03:17:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T03:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569154\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T03:17:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T03:17:10","slug":"fcc-sends-a-stern-warning-to-the-nfl-jeopardizing-future-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569154\/","title":{"rendered":"FCC sends a stern warning to the NFL, jeopardizing future plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NFL<\/a> is transitioning toward the 2026 NFL Draft. One of the great spectacles in sports will be broadcast live. The king of American sports has made its product feel nearly invincible due to its immense value and demand.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean the NFL isn\u2019t without backlash. In recent years, the league has negotiated extremely lucrative contracts with streaming services.<\/p>\n

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The streaming landscape is a polarizing subject and has left many fans agitated. Even the U.S. government has taken note of these practices.<\/p>\n

MORE: New York Jets quarterback NFL Draft plans revealed by NFL insider<\/a><\/p>\n

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has indicated<\/a> that there could be serious ramifications for the NFL. The league continues to veer away from traditional television broadcasts. This includes the potential revocation of its coveted antitrust exemption.<\/p>\n

\"\"The NFL\u2019s \u2018tipping point\u2019?<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes the NFL still benefit from the antitrust exemption when they\u2019re negotiating for carriage of games not on a sponsored telecast, but on a streaming service?\u201d Carr said.<\/p>\n

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The NFL has benefited from an antitrust exemption provided by the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act. This allows the league to negotiate television deals collectively rather than as individual competitors.<\/p>\n

However, these limitations apply only to free, over-the-air broadcasts. It is not a blanket exemption\u2014something the NFL is toeing the line with.<\/p>\n

MORE: Ex-ESPN reporter Michele Steele lands major gig for new network<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c[There is] a point at which you sort of tip the scale, and they\u2019ve just put too many games behind a paywall, and then that whole exemption collapses,\u201d Carr continued.<\/p>\n

\"NFL<\/p>\n

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the issue is the fact that the NFL\u2019s agreements are with services that do not stream games for free. Subscriptions are required.<\/p>\n

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One could argue that this is simply the current state of television. Consumers are cutting cable and paying for streaming services instead of traditional outlets like DirecTV and Spectrum.<\/p>\n

Regardless, the FCC\u2019s statements appear to be sending a strong message to the NFL: adjust your practices, or risk your future revenue-earning potential.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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