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The NFL’s 18th Game Kremlinology

The D.O.J.’s new investigation into the NFL is ostensibly a major setback for the Shield. And yet, there are some potential upsides to kicking rights negotiations down the road…

NFL
"People assume this creates a real opportunity for the players to extract all kinds of concessions. But I had one person on the league side tell me that the players shouldn’t worry about getting anything but money—that it should be a financial transaction and nothing more," says Mike Florio. Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
John Ourand
April 9, 2026

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Several months before today’s stunning (if not entirely surprising) move by the Department of Justice to open an investigation into whether the NFL violated the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961—the antitrust exemption permitting the Shield to negotiate leaguewide deals with broadcasters—league officials were strongly hinting to media partners their desire to wrap up the next round of rights negotiations before the 2026 season kicks off on September 9. Obviously, this new development could significantly push back that timeline.