NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been summoned to testify before US Congress on 10 June regarding the league’s broadcast contracts and their financial impact on American fans.
Representative Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, formally invited the league chief to appear at a scheduled legislative hearing.
The committee intends to scrutinise whether current antitrust laws require updating to regulate how professional sports organisations negotiate their television rights.
Outdated legislation and antitrust scrutiny
The US Department of Justice recently launched an independent investigation into the league’s ongoing use of the Sports Broadcasting Act.
Passed in 1961, this limited antitrust exemption allows leagues to negotiate collective television deals, but the legislation predates modern cable and digital streaming services.
“Back when the Sports Broadcast Act was passed, the promise was you’ll get to watch every one of your team’s games for free,” Jordan told ESPN.
“Things have changed dramatically since 1961.”
Growing fragmentation of media rights
Lawmakers have expressed mounting concern over the 65-year-old executive’s strategy of distributing live matches across a wide array of subscription platforms.
American football supporters now require separate subscriptions for services such as Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock to follow the entire regular season.
This fragmentation has significantly increased the financial burden on fans attempting to watch their local franchises compete.
“The idea they can collude when negotiating a deal with a cable company or Amazon Prime is a very fair question to ask and explore,” Jordan added.
League defends distribution model
Despite the looming congressional scrutiny, the long-serving commissioner has robustly defended the organisation’s overarching approach to media rights.
“We’ve been surviving and thriving on the basis of being available to the broadest audience,” Goodell stated ahead of the recent draft.
The sporting body maintains that its distribution model remains the most fan-friendly in the global entertainment industry.
A recent official statement highlighted that over 87% of all matches remain available on free, over-the-air television within the United States.
The Los Angeles Rams are finalising a blockbuster trade to acquire two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jared Verse and draft compensation.
Persistent pursuit pays off
The shocking move represents one of the most significant defensive trades in league history.
Los Angeles aggressively pursued the 28-year-old pass rusher, eventually meeting steep demands from the AFC North organisation.
The agreement includes sending 25-year-old edge rusher Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and additional assets to Ohio.
Going all in for a home Super Bowl
The franchise is mirroring its successful 2021 strategy, when they acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford before winning a home championship.
With Super Bowl LXI scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium, the NFC West team is once again mortgaging future draft capital for immediate success.
Cleveland originally declared their prized defender untouchable, despite modifying his contract in March to make a potential departure financially viable.
They insisted that any negotiation must include the 2024 first-round draft pick.
Long-term value for Cleveland
Initially reluctant to part with their young talent, the Californian outfit eventually relented to secure the premier superstar.
Verse has registered 12 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, providing an immediate, youthful replacement on the defensive line.
The transaction is expected to save the Browns approximately $30m (£23.5m) in cash.
They view the incoming rookie-contract defender as a vital long-term building block for their evolving roster.
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson is finalising an agreement to become a television analyst for CBS Sports, effectively ending his 14-season playing career in the National Football League.
The 37-year-old had reportedly received an offer from the New York Jets to serve as a backup to Geno Smith, but has instead opted to transition into broadcasting.
The veteran recently acknowledged during a newspaper interview that a move to the network’s flagship studio show was under serious consideration.
Replacing a former rival
The seasoned signal-caller is set to take the television seat previously held by Matt Ryan.
Ryan recently vacated his punditry role during the off-season to return to the Atlanta Falcons as their president of football operations.
This new broadcasting chapter will see the former quarterback share the screen with established personalities James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher on Sunday pre-game broadcasts.
A decorated career concludes
The former Seattle Seahawks star departs the gridiron with a formidable statistical resume, having amassed 46,966 passing yards and 353 touchdowns alongside 114 interceptions.
His legacy in the Pacific Northwest was firmly cemented by guiding Seattle to a dominant victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
A 10-time Pro Bowl selection, the celebrated athlete also received the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award during his distinguished tenure.
Following a decade of sustained excellence with the Seahawks, the final years of his playing career included short stints with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
The New York Giants are evaluating a potential reunion with Odell Beckham Jr by hosting the former star wide receiver for a second off-season workout.
The franchise is exploring veteran additions following an Achilles injury to kick returner Gunner Olszewski during organized team activities.
Key offensive weapons Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton are also currently sidelined as they rehabilitate knee and core muscle issues respectively.
Exploring veteran receiver options
Alongside the 33-year-old, New York is assessing JuJu Smith-Schuster, Braxton Berrios and Anthony Miller in recent tryouts.
A return to MetLife Stadium would mark a full-circle moment for the lightning-rod playmaker.
The 2014 first-round draft pick enjoyed a record-breaking start to his career with three consecutive 1,300-yard seasons before injuries derailed his initial stint in New York.
He most recently recorded nine catches for 55 yards during a 2024 spell with the Miami Dolphins.
Unfinished business in New York
The former Pro Bowler was in the area for a charity softball game this weekend and reportedly spoke of having unfinished business with his former team.
Any new role would look vastly different from his initial tenure as the primary offensive target.
Instead, the veteran would be competing for a lower-depth roster spot and acting as a mentor to younger talents like rookie Nabers.
The receiver has also maintained contact with Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh following their time together during the 2023 campaign.
“Talked to Odell a lot, probably three of four times in the last week, to see where he’s at, where we’re at.”
John Harbaugh
Harbaugh noted that while previous workouts went well, any signing must be the right fit for both parties.
“Odell wants to be the kind of player that can make a difference. I’m pretty sure that he can make a team in the National Football League right now. But can he make a difference and is it something he wants to do and is his body going to hold up the way he wants it to?”
John Harbaugh
Meanwhile, Smith-Schuster is also aiming to secure a contract after spending the past two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The former Steeler previously played under new Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and registered 345 receiving yards last year.
Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Raymond Berry, who won two NFL championships with the Baltimore Colts before guiding the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl as head coach, has died aged 93.
A statement released by his family through the Hall of Fame confirmed he passed away on 25 May while surrounded by loved ones.
The legendary split end spent his entire 13-season playing career in Baltimore, becoming one of the most reliable targets in professional football history.
He established a lethal connection with quarterback Johnny Unitas during an era when the sport heavily favoured running the ball.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
The former SMU draft pick is perhaps best remembered for his heroics in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants.
Often credited with sparking the league’s modern popularity, the sudden-death thriller saw him catch 12 passes for 178 yards and a crucial touchdown.
That single-game championship receptions record stood until 2014, underlining the magnitude of his performance in the 23-17 victory.
He secured his second consecutive championship the following season with the Colts.
During that dominant 1959 campaign, the prolific pass-catcher led the league outright in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
A model of consistency
Selected as a 20th-round draft pick in 1954, the six-time Pro Bowler vastly exceeded early career expectations.
He retired in 1967 as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, amassing 631 catches for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns.
In a remarkable testament to his sure-handedness, Unitas’ favourite target fumbled just once during his entire professional career.
“Luck is something which happens when preparation meets opportunity,” he once explained.
“One play may make the difference in winning or losing a game. I must be prepared to make my own luck.”
His number 82 jersey was later retired by the Colts, and he was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens’ Ring of Honor.
Super Bowl run in New England
Transitioning to the touchline, the football icon spent 14 seasons as an assistant coach before taking the top job at the New England Patriots in 1984.
He orchestrated a memorable run the following year, guiding a wild-card squad all the way to Super Bowl XX.
Although his side suffered a heavy defeat to the historic Chicago Bears, his tenure in Foxborough remained highly respected.
He compiled a 48-39 overall record as a head coach, eventually departing the franchise after the 1989 season.
“It was a great six years for me,” he told ESPN in 2008. “I had some really great players, and you really enjoy coaching talent like that.”
“And I still have New England fans to this day come up and talk about how much they enjoyed those years. Nice to have satisfied customers.”
Two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman Manny Fernandez, a crucial member of the Miami Dolphins’ historic undefeated 1972 team, has died at the age of 79.
The franchise announced the passing of the famed defender on Tuesday.
He spent his entire eight-year professional career in Florida after arriving as an undrafted free agent in 1968.
During his tenure, the rugged tackle became an anchor of the celebrated “No-Name Defense” that dominated the league throughout the early 1970s.
A historic Super Bowl performance
The 79-year-old was instrumental in leading his team to three consecutive championship appearances.
His most defining moment came during Super Bowl VII, where he recorded a staggering 17 tackles and a sack against Washington.
That defensive masterclass secured a 14-7 victory and cemented the only flawless 17-0 season in National Football League history.
“His consistency and selfless contributions on the field were instrumental to the Dolphins’ success throughout the early 1970s, particularly in the team’s three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, in which he produced some of the most memorable defensive performances in the history of the game.”
Miami Dolphins official statement
Lasting legacy in Miami
Beyond team accolades, the formidable undrafted talent earned individual recognition as a two-time second-team All-Pro.
His remarkable contributions to the sport were further immortalised when he was inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor in 2014.
“Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones and teammates as we remember one of the best players in Dolphins history.”
Miami Dolphins official statement
The legendary lineman will forever be remembered as a cornerstone of the sport’s ultimate invincible squad.
New York Giants defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris is expected to miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his Achilles during an indoor practice session on Thursday.
The 32-year-old suffered the devastating injury while taking first-team repetitions at the team’s organised team activity (OTA) workout in East Rutherford.
He was forced to pull up and reach for the back of his right leg early in the session, which had been moved indoors due to rain.
A major blow to a rebuilding defensive line
The loss of the veteran creates a significant void in the interior of the New York defence.
The franchise was already heavily reshaping its front line after trading star tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals last month.
Entering his 10th professional campaign, the undrafted UTEP prospect had been expected to anchor the unit as a prominent starter.
He was entering the second and final season of a two-year contract worth $9.25m (£7.3m).
Giants bank on newly acquired reinforcements
Last season, the former Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars standout started 17 games, recording 35 tackles and six quarterback hits.
In an effort to mitigate recent departures, the Giants signed seasoned veterans DJ Reader, Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu following the NFL Draft.
They are also placing heavy expectations on second-year lineman Darius Alexander and recent sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis.
Speaking earlier this month about the reshaped defensive line, coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in their recruitment strategy.
“I felt like it was part of our process,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not that we wouldn’t have drafted a defensive tackle or signed one sooner if they had become available.”
“But as it went, I thought we did a good job of kind of responding to the situation as it unfolded, and now we feel really good about our group in there.”
“It looks good to me. I’m excited about it.”
The seasoned defender now faces a gruelling rehabilitation process, pausing a career that has yielded 246 tackles and 19 sacks across 134 appearances.
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford has signed a one-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams worth up to $60m, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season.
The new agreement guarantees the 38-year-old a base figure of $55m and places him firmly among the highest-paid players in his position.
It leaves the veteran quarterback with a total of $105m remaining on his current deal in California.
The franchise officially announced the renewal on Thursday but declined to disclose specific financial terms.
Drafting a successor and chasing history
This significant pay rise arrives during an off-season where Los Angeles selected highly-rated prospect Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Simpson is widely viewed as the eventual heir to the starting role at SoFi Stadium.
However, the incumbent starter has cemented his immediate future after producing a spectacular career-best campaign.
The former Super Bowl winner led the league last season with 4,707 passing yards and threw 46 touchdowns alongside just eight interceptions to claim his first MVP award.
Super Bowl ambitions on home soil
Speculation had recently mounted regarding a potential retirement ahead of his 18th professional season.
Those rumours were swiftly dispelled by the seasoned playmaker when collecting his MVP honours in February.
“I’ll see you guys next year.”
“Hopefully, I’m not at this event and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi.”
The upcoming Super Bowl will be hosted at the Rams’ home stadium, mirroring their triumphant 2021 championship run on the very same turf.
The experienced signal-caller will celebrate his 39th birthday just one week before that showpiece event.
He currently sits sixth on the all-time NFL passing list with 64,516 regular-season yards, trailing Aaron Rodgers by a mere 1,758 yards.