Key facts
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.
- The NFL cited ongoing litigation related to broadcast deals as the reason for Goodell's refusal.
- The House Judiciary Committee hearing was set to examine the Sports Broadcasting Act.
- Goodell's past testimonies before Congress have been described as difficult.
- The NFL's broadcast deals are subject to scrutiny due to rising costs and consumer complaints.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on June 10. The hearing was intended to examine whether the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 has been used to harm consumers. In a letter to Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, NFL general counsel Ted Ullyot stated Goodell would not appear due to ongoing litigation related to the hearing's topic, likely referring to the NFL's Sunday Ticket antitrust case, which is in post-trial and appellate proceedings. The Sports Broadcasting Act provides a limited antitrust exemption for the collective sale of over-the-air broadcast rights, but its protection for cable, satellite, and streaming products is less clear, leading to consumer complaints and government scrutiny. Ullyot reiterated the NFL's position that a significant majority of games are available over the air and in local markets. The decision to decline testimony also appears to consider Goodell's past difficult appearances before Congress, including his 2009 testimony on the concussion crisis and his 2022 testimony regarding the Washington Commanders workplace investigation, where he faced criticism for the league's handling of information and accountability.