President Donald Trump has a message for the NFL: don't price out the fans who live for Sunday football. In an interview that aired Sunday on Sinclair Group's Full Measure, Trump criticized the rising cost of watching NFL games, warning that the league's business model could be in trouble if it loses its government-backed antitrust exemption.
Reporter Sharyl Attkisson asked Trump whether the NFL was "price gouging" and whether his administration planned to intervene. Trump didn't hold back. He said the league is "killing the golden goose" by making football less affordable for loyal supporters. "They're making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less," Trump said. "You've got people that live for Sunday. They live, they can't think about anything else, and then all of a sudden they're going to have to pay $1,000 a game?"
Trump hinted that his administration might take action, though he offered no specifics. His bottom line: "I don't like it."
The $1,000 figure Trump threw out might be an exaggeration, but the frustration is real. Fans today often need multiple streaming subscriptions—plus a cable or satellite package—to catch every game of the season. Critics argue that this fragmentation is tied directly to the NFL's limited antitrust exemption under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which allows the league to negotiate broadcast deals collectively. Without that exemption, the league's ability to command massive TV contracts could be at risk.
The timing of Trump's comments is notable. The Department of Justice is already investigating the NFL's media rights deals for potential anticompetitive tactics. The probe is focused on "affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers." The investigation comes as the league explores early renegotiation of its media rights agreements and considers a larger game package with Netflix Inc. (NFLX).
The NFL, for its part, defends its model. The league says its media distribution is highly fan- and broadcaster-friendly, noting that more than 87% of NFL games air on free broadcast television. But the landscape is shifting. The NFL is in the process of renegotiating parts of its 11-year, $111 billion media rights deals with partners including CBS, NBC, Fox Corporation, Walt Disney Corp. (DIS)'s ESPN, and Amazon.com (AMZN)'s Prime Video. The updated deals are expected to boost league revenue and remove an opt-out clause after the 2029-30 season, effectively extending the partnerships.
The NFL has already started renewal talks with Paramount Skydance (PSKY)'s CBS, which currently pays about $2.1 billion annually for Sunday games. Under a new agreement, that figure could top $3 billion.
Trump also weighed in on the NFL's new "dynamic kickoff," a rule change the league says helps reduce head injuries. Trump questioned its safety and expressed hope that college football wouldn't adopt it.
Whether the administration actually moves to revoke the NFL's antitrust exemption remains to be seen. But the message is clear: the golden goose is getting nervous.
