The FCC takes aim at skyrocketing NFL and other sports streaming costs

February 27, 2026 - 07:49

The Federal Communications Commission has initiated a formal inquiry into the escalating costs of streaming live sports, taking direct aim at the business practices of major leagues like the NFL. This move signals a potential regulatory shift that could reshape how fans access games online.

In a newly issued public notice, the FCC is seeking broad public comment on the competitive landscape of the sports streaming market. The commission expressed specific concern over "contractual provisions" between sports leagues and streaming services or traditional pay-TV providers. Regulators are examining whether certain exclusive deals and bundling requirements may be stifling competition and artificially inflating subscription prices for consumers.

This inquiry places the business models of professional sports leagues under unprecedented scrutiny. As more games migrate from broadcast television to exclusive streaming platforms, lawmakers and consumer advocates have grown increasingly vocal about the financial burden on fans who must subscribe to multiple services to follow their favorite teams.

The FCC's action does not guarantee new rules, but it opens a formal process that could lead to future regulations aimed at increasing competition and transparency. The public notice represents a significant step by the federal government to address what many viewers describe as the increasingly fragmented and expensive experience of watching live sports.