Officials are examining whether forcing fans into multiple paywalled platforms limits competition and creates an uneven playing field for providers. 🏈 Recent Utah State vs. Washington State Matchups
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently launched an investigation into the NFL's media deals to determine if they violate antitrust laws.
While there isn't a singular academic paper titled exactly after your query, recent reports and legal investigations regarding the rising complexity and cost of NFL streaming have become a major point of discussion in early 2026. These reports highlight that fans may now need up to —including Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube TV—to watch every game, with costs potentially exceeding $1,000 per season . ⚖️ Federal Investigation into NFL Streaming
The probe follows requests from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) to review the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 , arguing the current fragmented model harms consumers by making games prohibitively expensive.
Report: Justice Department investigating America's favorite sport