NFL defends streaming strategy in letter to U.S. House Judiciary Committee

The National Football League told the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in a letter that its growing use of streaming platforms does not diminish its commitment to traditional broadcast television, ahead of a committee hearing next week on the Sports Broadcasting Act.

The letter, signed by NFL general counsel Ted Ullyot and addressed to Chairman Jim Jordan, outlines the league’s position on distribution. Commissioner Roger Goodell declined an invitation to testify at the hearing.

The league said its recent moves reflect technological change and shifting viewing habits.

In its communication to lawmakers, the NFL argued that expanding carriage to services such as Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube has been an adaptation to where audiences are, not a replacement for broadcast coverage. League officials said broadcast television remains a cornerstone of the NFL’s reach and that streaming is intended to complement, not supplant, existing arrangements.

The timing of the letter sets the league’s stance ahead of the Judiciary Committee’s session on the Sports Broadcasting Act. By declining to appear, Goodell left Ullyot to formally express the league’s views in writing, reiterating that distribution changes are a response to new technologies rather than a retreat from traditional partners.

League says streaming complements broadcast TV

The NFL framed its streaming expansion as a balancing act: maintain wide-access, over-the-air coverage while making select content available on digital platforms frequented by different segments of viewers. Officials said that as viewing options multiply, the league must meet fans on multiple platforms to sustain audience accessibility.

The league also emphasized continuity with its long-standing media strategy. While new partners have emerged in the streaming space, the NFL said these additions have not come at the expense of broadcast television, which it described as central to the sport’s visibility and growth in the United States.

House panel to examine Sports Broadcasting Act

The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing next week to examine issues tied to the Sports Broadcasting Act. Lawmakers are expected to review how current distribution practices intersect with the legal framework that governs sports rights, including the balance between broad access and evolving delivery methods.

The NFL’s letter signals how the league will frame that discussion: streaming as an additive layer that expands distribution without undermining broadcast partners. The committee could seek further information from the league following the session, including whether future appearances or additional written responses will be necessary.

What to watch next is whether the hearing prompts follow-up requests to the NFL and if lawmakers press for more detail on how streaming and broadcast will coexist in upcoming seasons.