Roger Goodell Declines Congress Invitation on NFL Broadcast Deal Hearing
Roger Goodell declines to testify before Congress about NFL's broadcast deals

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined to testify at a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding the league's broadcast and streaming deals, citing ongoing litigation. The hearing aims to examine the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and its implications on consumer rights and antitrust exemptions for professional sports leagues.
- 01Goodell's refusal to testify is due to ongoing litigation related to the hearing's topic.
- 02The hearing will focus on the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and its impact on sports distribution and consumer rights.
- 03The Department of Justice is investigating the NFL for potential anticompetitive practices.
- 04Senator Mike Lee has called for a review of the NFL's antitrust exemption, arguing it no longer reflects current market conditions.
- 05The NFL maintains that over 87% of its games are available on free broadcast TV, despite the growth of streaming services.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on June 10 regarding the league's broadcast and streaming agreements. In a letter from NFL general counsel Ted Ullyot to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Goodell cited ongoing litigation as the reason for his absence. The hearing, titled 'Examining the Sports Broadcasting Act,' will investigate the 1961 Act, which allows professional sports leagues to collectively sell television rights without violating antitrust laws. Recent scrutiny has arisen as the NFL's distribution model has evolved with the rise of paywalls and streaming services. The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into potential anticompetitive behavior by the NFL, following a request from Senator Mike Lee for a review of the league's antitrust exemption. Ullyot defended the NFL's model, noting that the majority of games are still available on free television and that the current broadcasting strategy has resulted in high viewership numbers. He emphasized that the Sports Broadcasting Act is crucial for maintaining competitive balance within the league.
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The outcome of the hearing and the DOJ investigation could affect how NFL games are broadcast, potentially leading to changes in pricing and availability for consumers.
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