Donald Trump Blasts NFL’s Shift to Streaming Services

President Donald Trump criticized the NFL media for continuing to make watching football games expensive. Trump’s comments come after the Department of Justice launched an investigation into whether the league is overcharging the fans.

During an interview on the “Full Measure” show on Sunday, Trump said that the rising cost of watching football games could ruin the game itself. The majority of the population doesn’t earn enough to subscribe to various online streaming platforms. Continuing the traditional method of broadcasting will increase the viewing experience.

You’ve got people that love football, they’re great people, they don’t make enough money to go and pay this, it’s tough… They’re [streaming platforms] making a lot of money, they could make a little bit less, and they could let the people see.

Donald Trump said

With more NFL games moving to pay programming, will President Trump step in to make changes? Watch the full interview this Sunday: https://t.co/1zR7xf8Vn9 pic.twitter.com/rZzKagMnjc

— Full Measure News (@FullMeasureNews) May 8, 2026

In 2025, the NFL games were divided among several streaming services, including Peacock, Amazon Prime (Thursday Night games), Paramount+, and Netflix (Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day games). According to a calculation done by The Athletic, an average NFL fan spent roughly $600 to watch the major NFL games.

I don’t know, but I don’t like it. They’re making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less. They could let the people see. You have people that live for Sunday. They can’t think about anything else, and then all of a sudden, they’re gonna have to pay $1,000 a game? It’s crazy, so I’m not happy about it.

Donald Trump added

Donald Trump urged streaming giants to reduce the prices of NFL games

A Wall Street Journal report revealed that Rupert Murdoch, chairman of the FOX Network, personally met with President Trump and told him that if streaming networks continue buying NFL game slots, traditional broadcast channels will face massive losses.

Shortly after, multiple federal agencies launched investigations into the NFL for alleged antitrust violations. The FCC, the Federal Trade Commission, and the DOJ are looking into any discrepancies.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote to the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, assuring that the NFL’s media model is the fairest among all sports.

With over 87% of our games on free, [broadcast] television, including 100% of games in the markets of the competing teams, the NFL has for decades put our fans front and center in how we distribute our content. The 2025 season was our most-viewed since 1989 and reflects the strength of the NFL distribution model and its wide availability to all fans.

Goodell stated

Trump reiterates his disdain for the new NFL kickoff rule

The NFL introduced the “dynamic kick-off rule” in 2024 and made it permanent in 2025. The rule’s goal was to increase the amount of returns while keeping player safety in mind.

So, the league designated the “landing zone” (from the goal line to the 20-yard line)—kickers must land the ball inside the area. If the ball lands inside the end zone, then it will count as a touchback. In the meantime, the kicking team must line up behind the 40-yard line inside their own half and can only move after the returner receives the ball.

Trump is not a fan of this rule change.

The [NFL] have that stupid kickoff thing that you can’t watch, it’s unwatchable. I hate the games where they, you know, they have the new phony kick-off, I don’t think it’s any safer, I hope college football doesn’t do it.

asked if the NFL is price gouging, Trump instead rants about the kickoff rule and them absurdly claims that viewers are paying "$1,000 a game" to watch the sport on TV pic.twitter.com/QjZIMxB3Bg

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 10, 2026

This is not the first time Trump has expressed his discontent with the kick-off rule. In January 2026, Trump called the kick-offs unwatchable on Truth Social.

However, players seem to like the rule change. They believe that it has made the game safer.

Also Read:

• Jalen Hurts’ Replacement Reportedly Ready at Eagles as QB’s Future Remains Uncertain
• Commanders Rookie Sonny Styles Explains Emotional No. 52 Choice