Despite posts of rumors, lies, and intentional propaganda pushed by non-legacy media and Stan accounts trying to align Jay-Z and his company with the DOJ investigation and antitrust probe into the NFL, here are the facts so far: he has nothing to do with it.
#JayZ or
@RocNation etc.
DOJ has launched a probe into whether the NFL violated antitrust laws via TV contracts forcing subs for some games, sources told ABC News.
"This is about affordability & level playing field for providers," a gov official said.
WSJ first reported; nature & scope of DOJ inv. unknown.
NFL has an antitrust exemption under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 for broadcast TV only. Courts ruled it doesn't cover cable, satellite or streaming.
NFL TV deals: ESPN/ABC, NBC, CBS, Prime Video, Netflix. Subs needed for MNF on ESPN (non-ABC), TNF & Black Friday on Prime, Xmas on Netflix. Some intl on NFLN (ESPN-owned). Past games on ESPN & Peacock.
All games free on local broadcast in team markets.
"NFL's media model is most fan & broadcaster-friendly in sports/ent," NFL said Thu. "87% games on free broadcast TV, 100% in competing team mkts. 2025 most viewed since '89."
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), chair of Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcomm., sent letter Mar 3 to DOJ/FTC urging review of NFL dist. vs Sports Broadcasting Act.
Lee noted fans spent ~$1K on cable/stream subs; Forbes est. $765 to stream all games last season.
He praised probe on X: "Modern dist. differs from 1961 conditions. NFL now licenses to sub streaming, premium cable & tech cos. Packages behind paywalls may not align w/ sponsored telecasting or consumer access rationale. Glad DOJ is examining."
DOJ declined comment.
NFL avg ~$11B/season from media deals; could rise post-Paramount/Skydance sale enabling CBS renegotiation.
Rights thru 2033 (most), 2034 (ESPN). Opt-out after 2029 likely, as 83/100 top broadcasts were NFL (Nielsen).
Act allows local game blackouts, still applies to out-of-market pkgs.
For entertainment and educational purposes only to inform with no malice or malicious intent
#media
@realJNolan @yns1118 @GAGEmusicx @TheRocSupremacy
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Department of Justice opens investigation into the NFL.