SouthernWorldwide.com – Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has weighed in on the escalating controversy surrounding the affordability of NFL games as more broadcasts move to streaming services.
The issue has garnered significant attention from both Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), prompting discussions about the league’s broadcast rights deals.
O’Connell shared his perspective while preparing to compete in the American Century Championship, an event he is participating in for the first time.
“Hopefully, a lot of them make it out to whether to U.S. Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the, you know, great venues we have in our league,” O’Connell stated, emphasizing the importance of live attendance.
However, he quickly added, “but I can tell you that it’s very important for the NFL to have our games be available to as many of our fans as we possibly can.”
The Vikings coach acknowledged the league’s efforts to expand its reach and connect with new fans.
“I think it’s an alignment with where a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has kind of gone, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment,” O’Connell explained.
He believes that the proliferation of streaming services offers various avenues for fans to access NFL content.
“I know our game is very, very popular, and I know it’s a very important thing for the league to continue to make our game available to every possible fan out there,” he added.
O’Connell also highlighted the league’s ongoing efforts to discover new pathways to engage with fans.
“We’re always trying to find different pathways to new fans … not only in the United States, but it’s clear globally as well,” he said.
The NFL’s 2026 schedule exemplifies this shift, featuring games across traditional broadcast networks, cable channels, and multiple streaming platforms.
For instance, Prime Video is set to broadcast “Thursday Night Football,” while Netflix will stream games during Week 1, on Thanksgiving Eve, and on Christmas Day.
Additionally, Peacock will exclusively air a regular-season game in January.
The NFL has maintained that its games remain accessible for free over the air in local markets.
The league asserts it is the sole sports organization that provides all regular-season and postseason games on free over-the-air television in local markets.
Despite this, the broader issue of access has drawn increasing scrutiny in Washington.
In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report examining the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model.
The report indicated that fans increasingly require a combination of over-the-air, cable, and streaming services to watch their preferred teams.
Furthermore, the committee noted that some fans face annual costs exceeding $600 to follow all games of a single team.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah has also urged the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the NFL’s distribution practices still align with the limited antitrust protection afforded by the Sports Broadcasting Act.
In his request, Lee pointed out that fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when factoring in cable, streaming, and internet costs.
NFL legend Dwight Freeney has also voiced his concerns regarding the league’s strategy of distributing games across numerous streaming services, which he believes makes watching games less financially accessible for fans.
O’Connell’s remarks were made as he prepared for the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe.
The tournament boasts a notable roster of competitors, including NFL stars such as Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, and Kyle Juszczyk.
Hall of Famers like Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney, and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to participate.
