NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, which is set to examine the impact of the Sports Broadcasting Act on consumers. The hearing, scheduled for June 10, will focus on whether the Act has been used to harm consumers, particularly in light of rising costs associated with cable, satellite, streaming, and subscription services.

Ongoing Litigation Cited

Goodell’s decision not to appear is linked to ongoing litigation concerning the NFL’s Sunday Ticket antitrust case, which is currently in post-trial and appellate proceedings. NFL general counsel Ted Ullyot communicated this in a letter to Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), stating that the litigation is directly related to the hearing’s topic.

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 provides a limited antitrust exemption for the collective sale of over-the-air broadcast rights, but does not clearly cover cable, satellite, or streaming products. This has led to consumer complaints and increased government scrutiny as the cost of accessing NFL games has risen.

Past Congressional Appearances

Goodell’s past appearances before Congress have been challenging, with lawmakers often scrutinizing the league’s business practices and safety protocols. In 2009, he testified on the league’s handling of head injuries, where he faced criticism for not acknowledging the medical link between football and long-term brain damage. In 2022, Goodell was questioned about the NFL’s handling of the Washington Commanders’ workplace investigation, where lawmakers criticized the league’s decision to withhold a written report on the investigation.

Despite the NFL’s reasoning for Goodell’s absence being tied to legal proceedings, it is likely that his previous experiences with congressional testimony influenced the decision. The NFL has not commented further on Goodell’s decision, despite multiple requests from media outlets.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.