All articles tagged with #antitrust exemption
The chaos in college football, driven by NIL deals, transfer issues, and lack of player rights, highlights the need for a players' union and a structured system similar to the NFL, which would require Congress to grant an antitrust exemption to establish clear rules and improve player protections.
The SCORE Act has passed a House subcommittee, aiming to grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to regulate college sports, but critics argue it could harm smaller schools, limit player rights, and favor wealthier programs, potentially disrupting competitive balance and player mobility.
House Democrat Rep. Pat Ryan is demanding the NFL and NBC Sports stop airing playoff games exclusively on streaming platforms, particularly the upcoming Chiefs-Dolphins game on Peacock, arguing that fans who already pay for NBC should not have to pay extra to watch the game. Ryan criticized the move as a profit-driven decision at the expense of hardworking Americans and threatened to challenge the NFL's antitrust exemption. The NFL defended the decision, citing the goal of reaching fans across various platforms, while acknowledging that viewership may not initially match broadcast levels. The shift towards streaming services for sports events has raised concerns about antitrust issues and the impact on traditional TV networks.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is facing a significant legal challenge to its antitrust exemption, with a lawsuit filed by two minor-league teams that were expelled from MLB's affiliated system. The case, which could potentially reach the Supreme Court, argues that MLB's exemption allows for monopolistic practices that would be illegal in other industries. Settlement talks are currently underway, and if a settlement is reached, the case may not proceed to the Supreme Court. However, if the case does proceed, it could have far-reaching implications for MLB's antitrust exemption.