Trump Criticizes NFL's Shift to Paid Streaming, Warns of Fan Access Risks

The longstanding tension between the National Football League (NFL) and the U.S. government has flared up again over the league’s shift toward paid streaming platforms. In an interview with Full Measure, President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue, questioning whether the NFL is engaging in price gouging by moving games behind paywalls.

Trump also suggested the federal government might need to intervene to protect fans from rising costs.

Trump’s Criticism of NFL Streaming and Kickoff Rules

When asked if the NFL’s move to paid platforms constitutes price gouging, Trump responded:

"It’s tough. 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. And they could be killing the golden goose. I mean, they 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 kickoff. I don't think it's any safer. I hope college football doesn't do that."

Trump frequently references the NFL’s two-year-old alternative kickoff formation, though he has previously misstated its safety benefits. The new rule, implemented in 2023, has actually increased return rates compared to the previous format.

Warnings About Paid Streaming and Fan Access

Trump continued his critique, expressing concerns about the NFL’s push into paid streaming:

"They have to be careful because, you know, others have tried this, and all of a sudden you don't have a sport anymore. Probably will. . . . There's something very sad when they take football away from many, many people. Very sad. I don't like it."

When pressed on whether the government should intervene, Trump replied:

"I don't know. But I don't like it. 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 live — 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."

Note: While Trump’s $1,000 figure is exaggerated, his broader point highlights concerns about rising costs for fans. The average NFL ticket price in 2024 is around $120, but total season costs for streaming services can exceed $1,000 when including multiple platforms.

NFL’s Financial Strategy and Industry Pushback

The NFL’s pivot to paid streaming coincides with its efforts to secure higher broadcast fees from free, over-the-air networks. These contracts, which run through 2029, have faced resistance from networks like Fox, led by owner Rupert Murdoch, which are leveraging political influence to push back against the league’s demands.

The NFL’s streaming strategy includes expanding NFL+ and partnerships with platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV, which require subscriptions.