Staff Reports
President Trump used a national interview to call out the rising cost of watching NFL games, saying the new streaming packages could “ruin the game” for working‑class fans. His comments landed as the Department of Justice quietly opened an antitrust probe into the NFL’s media deals. That combination — presidential attention plus federal scrutiny — deserves a close look from anyone who still thinks football is America’s game, not Wall Street’s payday.
Trump Calls Out Skyrocketing NFL Streaming Costs
In a Full Measure interview, President Trump spoke plainly about how hard it is for normal fans to follow their teams. He noted that many people “don’t make enough money to go and pay this” and said bluntly, “I don’t like it.” That’s not a policy speech; it’s a gut reaction from someone who sees millions of Americans priced out of a pastime they love.
DOJ Antitrust Probe: A Real Check on Media Monopoly
The Department of Justice has begun looking into whether the NFL’s multi‑platform deals are anti‑competitive and driving up costs for fans. Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi and investigators are asking the right question: are consumers being squeezed by a new streaming cartel in sports? With the league’s media rights valued at roughly $110 billion and outfitters like Amazon and Netflix buying pieces, it’s fair to ask if the Sports Broadcasting Act still makes sense in the streaming age.
Goodell’s Defense and the League’s Big Payday
Commissioner Roger Goodell says most games are still free on broadcast TV and insists the NFL is “most accessible.” Sounds great — until you add up the subscription fees to watch all the matchups. Independent estimates put the cost for full‑season access in the mid‑hundreds of dollars, and that’s before you count premium services or regional blackouts. Translation: the NFL is free in theory, expensive in practice, and the fans are left paying for the party.
What Should Happen Next
The DOJ probe and congressional interest from figures like Senator Mike Lee and Senator Tammy Baldwin give policymakers a chance to fix this mess. They should make sure fans aren’t forced to subscribe to half the internet just to enjoy Sunday football. If the league can pocket the billions it now rakes in, it can also accept fairer deals that don’t shut out working Americans. Call it common sense, or call it conservative populism — either way, the fans deserve better than being priced out of the national pastime.
