Rupert Murdoch Allegedly Warned Donald Trump About NFL’s Streaming Plans

NFL games generate so much revenue that TV networks depend a lot on them to keep themselves competitive in the era of streaming. That said, streaming platforms are slowly taking over the broadcasting world, enough to make the owner of FOX Sports, Rupert Murdoch, sweat a few bullets.

When an existential tsunami hits a conglomerate, it shakes the entire structure. Not even the head honcho can escape its wrath.

Murdoch may have sensed that at the pace streaming giants Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube are buying up game slots, TV networks won’t have much left. So, he went straight to the big man himself.

A report in the Wall Street Journal notes that Murdoch dined with Donald Trump at the White House in February. During the meeting, Murdoch warned the President that if the NFL continued to sell more games to streamers, it could damage broadcast networks like FOX.

Fox and the NFL have made each other a lot of money. But tensions are on the rise between the two longtime partners. 🔗 https://t.co/s0umzB07kd pic.twitter.com/xHtsaOz2dp

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 9, 2026

Federal institutions probe into the alleged malpractice of broadcasting NFL games

Shortly after Murdoch met with Trump, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched an inquiry into sports rights moving from broadcast TV to streaming. This followed an investigation by the Department of Justice into the league’s media deals.

The chronology of the events points to Murdoch kick-starting a chain reaction. That does not prove Murdoch as the catalyst behind the league executives scampering around to prove their innocence.

Commissioner Roger Goodell was the next to reach out to the White House. Goodell contacted Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and assured her that the NFL’s media model is the fairest among the major American sports leagues.

The NFL’s media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry. 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.

The league said via WSJ

Future of FOX NFL broadcast appears precarious

The probe remains active and likely to continue irrespective of Goodell’s statement. However, it does not imply that Murdoch’s wishes will come true and FOX will get to broadcast more NFL games.

According to Sportico, 83 out of 200 shows on TV were NFL games in 2025, up from 72 the year prior. With the league poised to sign a new deal with Netflix, that number may come back down to 72, maybe even lower.

Murdoch has every right to think about the future of FOX, but meeting with Trump doesn’t guarantee he will see his wishes fulfilled. The NFL is a tough negotiator. Goodell usually gets what he wants.

Once upon a time, ESPN ruled the broadcasting world, earning the rights to show several NFL games. Gradually, its dominance started to phase out due to getting terrible Monday Night Football schedules. ESPN responded by hiring popular faces Troy Aikman and Joe Buck to mend ties with the league. Ironically, now the league owns a large share of ESPN.

Moreover, FOX’s glory days are long gone. With Disney gobbling up everything around them, FOX is left with broadcast networks, cable news channels, and its sports division. It’s no wonder Murdoch is desperate to grab hold of more NFL games.

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