Flash Top Sports Headlines for May 6: NFL in the Hot Seat Over Scheduling Concerns
NFL's broadcasting plan faces potential disruption as Senator Ted Cruz issues a warning during a streaming hearing
Welcome to our website's Flash top sports headlines! Let's dive into what's causing a stir in the sports world.
Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas took the NFL to task during the Senate Commerce Committee's "Field of Streams" hearing on Tuesday. The old-school senator accused the NFL of flirting with breaking the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
The Act was enacted to safeguard high school and college football games from pesky NFL interferences. Cruz argued that the sports behemoth has been pushing the envelope, coming perilously close to breaching this law.
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Senator Ted Cruz making a ruckus at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Oxon Hill, Maryland, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
The NFL has somehow managed to televise games on Black Friday over the past couple of years—a move that's raised some red flags. Cruz explained, "There's growing worry that the NFL has manipulated its special exemption in the SBA, causing a headache for college and high school football calendars."
The SBA explicitly shields the professional league from antitrust protection if they broadcast a game on a Friday night or Saturday within the stipulated September to December period. This provision aims to protect both the interests of high school and college football and their dedicated viewers, who are none other than NFL fans as well.
"The NFL has been treading on thin ice, moving a game to a streaming platform on Black Friday, a slot formerly occupied by prominent college football rivalries like the legendary Texas versus Texas A&M match," Cruz stated. He pointed out that fans appreciate following high school, college, and professional football without being forced to make tough choices.
NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, steered clear of attending the aforementioned hearing in April, according to Puck. Goodell was busy helping announce that the 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C., on White House premises on Monday.
our website Digital reached out to the NFL for a comment on the matter.
MLB's executive vice president of media and business development, Kenny Gersh, NBA's president of global content and media distribution, William Koenig, and NHL's executive vice president of media and international strategy, David Proper, were among the witnesses at the hearing.
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Ryan Gaydos does the heavy lifting as a senior editor for our website Digital.
[1] Enrichment Data: https://www.profootballtalk.com/glossary/sports-broadcasting-act/[2] Enrichment Data: https://www.puck.com/nfl/2023/04/rogere-goodell-skips-congressional-hearing-on-nfl-streaming-deals/[3] Enrichment Data: Anecdotal data based on the availability of games on Black Friday in recent years.
- Senator Ted Cruz raised concerns about the NFL potentially breaching the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which was enacted to safeguard high school and college football games.
- The NFL has been questioned for airing games on Black Friday, a move that could be a violation of their special exemption in the SBA.
- The Texas versus Texas A&M match, a prominent college football rivalry, has been displaced by NFL games on streaming platforms, causing concern for fans who follow high school, college, and professional football.
- Other witnesses at the "Field of Streams" hearing included MLB's executive vice president of media and business development, Kenny Gersh, NBA's president of global content and media distribution, William Koenig, and NHL's executive vice president of media and international strategy, David Proper.
- During the hearing, the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, was not present but was busy helping announce the location for the 2027 NFL Draft.
