NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finds himself amid a high-stakes political and legal controversy. The NFL’s aggressive shift toward streaming platforms has prompted legal scrutiny. Beyond that, the move is also raising concerns about fan accessibility and potential economic consequences. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee will convene a hearing to examine the situation. However, Commissioner Goodell has refused to address the matter—a decision reported by John Ourand of Puck, which has drawn criticism from both media and lawmakers.

Senator Ted Cruz has issued a warning letter filled with legal threats as the NFL experiments with streaming-exclusive deals. Citing the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, Cruz suggested that the league may be pushing the boundaries of its federal antitrust protections. “The Committee is especially interested in how the League balances commercial innovation and its legal responsibilities,” he remarked.

The Sports Broadcasting Act grants the NFL special protection to sell its TV rights collectively. However, it was originally intended for over-the-air networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC. By pulling games from these “three-letter” networks and placing them behind digital paywalls, the NFL is taking a significant risk.

As Mike Florio puts it, “The Sports Broadcasting Act arguably applies only to broadcasting through traditional over-the-air channels.” He adds, “Saying ‘no’ to the folks who hold the legislative power carries with it some risk.” Undoubtedly.

Florio particularly highlighted rising tensions between the NFL and the Biden administration, suggesting that the league may already be walking on thin ice. Now, with the Senate Finance Committee set to hold its hearing on Tuesday, Goodell isn’t backing down.

Goodell ghosts the Senate Finance Committee as he refuses to appear

While Goodell is exploring new ways to boost revenue through digital platforms, the NFL is facing significant backlash. Millions of fans are questioning why they need multiple subscriptions and a tech manual just to watch their team play. Still, Goodell appears confident in his approach. Fans are streaming now—so the NFL is, too.

In interviews with CNBC and MarketWatch, Mike Florio remarked, “You have to go where your fans are,” on the topic of why live sports are ditching TV for streaming. He further added, “We’re fishing where the fish are.”

And now, Goodell has refused to appear before the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing. He remains firmly committed to the NFL’s streaming-first approach. But despite his assurances, watching every NFL game now costs between $1,700 and $2,500 per year. Fans may need access to up to nine platforms—Peacock, Prime Video, ESPN+, Netflix, YouTube TV, and others—to catch every game.

This fragmentation has only added to fan frustration, especially after the 2024 AFC Wild Card game between the Chiefs and Dolphins aired exclusively on Peacock. Goodell, however, has downplayed the criticism, noting that over 85–90% of NFL games still air on free TV. He also highlighted that the Peacock-only Wild Card game drew 23 million viewers, making it the most-streamed live event in U.S. history.

While Roger Goodell is not legally required to testify unless subpoenaed, the Senate may escalate the matter if concerns remain unaddressed. He now stands at a high-stakes crossroads, facing the risk of subpoenas, legislative reform, and even the potential loss of the NFL’s antitrust exemptions. If he continues to ignore the pressure, the blowback could be seismic.