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The Sports Broadcasting Act, NFL Antitrust Exemptions, and the Future of Sports Streaming with Katie Van Dyck

Tue, May 26, 2026 | 11:00 am EDT
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On Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. ET, The Capitol Forum will host a conference call with Katie Van Dyck, Senior Legal Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project, to discuss her recent article, “How an Obscure Law Lets Sports Leagues Rob Fans Blind.” This timely discussion will examine the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and how a narrow antitrust exemption originally intended for free over-the-air broadcasts evolved into a foundational part of today’s fragmented and increasingly expensive sports media ecosystem. Drawing on Van Dyck’s recent analysis, the conversation will explore how sports leagues, broadcasters, and streaming platforms have reshaped the economics of live sports and what regulators and policymakers may do next.

For assistance, contact: events@tcfpress.com.

We will also touch on topics such as:

  • The NFL’s limited antitrust exemption and how it differs from legal protections available to other professional sports leagues
  • The economics behind rising costs for watching NFL games across cable and streaming platforms
  • How the sports media landscape has changed since passage of the Sports Broadcasting Act in 1961
  • The DOJ’s reported antitrust investigation into the NFL and the growing political scrutiny surrounding sports broadcasting rights
  • The role of streaming platforms including Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet’s (GOOG) YouTube TV, Netflix (NFLX), and Disney’s (DIS) ESPN in reshaping sports distribution and pricing
  • The implications of media consolidation, including the proposed Paramount (PARA) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) transaction, for sports broadcasting markets and consumer costs

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a timely and thought-provoking conversation.

Guest Bio:

Katie Van Dyck is a Senior Legal Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project, where her work focuses on antitrust law, market concentration, and competition policy. Her recent writing examines the intersection of sports broadcasting, media consolidation, and antitrust exemptions, including how the Sports Broadcasting Act has shaped today’s sports streaming landscape.

Speakers:

Katie Van Dyck

Senior Legal Fellow, American Economic Liberties Project

Teddy Downey

Executive Editor at The Capitol Forum

Reserve your spot today!