The NFL has decided to broadcast the Thanksgiving Eve game between the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams on Netflix. This decision received a strong reaction from Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Senator Baldwin introduced a bill, “For the Fans” last month to have a guaranteed live and free option to watch professional sports broadcasts. She expressed her disapproval of the streaming of the game scheduled on November 25 at the SoFi Stadium in LA.

“As the cost of just about everything continues to rise, the NFL is once again asking Wisconsinites to spend their hard-earned money on another streaming service,” said Senator Baldwin. “Enough is enough. My “For the Fans” Act would stop this exact scenario and prevent Wisconsin families from being forced to pay for Netflix just to watch the Packers play this Thanksgiving.”

According to a press release by the Senator’s office, the “For the Fans” act aimed at easing access for consumers of professional sports broadcasts by requiring free viewing access for local fans. It also ends blackouts on league-owned streaming services like NBA League Pass or MLB.tv.

The press release further stated that the bill also applies to professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer leagues.

Senator Baldwin is using her platform to call out the NFL for moving games behind paywalls and burning through viewers’ pockets. Looks like she’s not the only one to do so, as President Trump also recently addressed the issue of streaming charges.

President Trump Shares His Opinion On Streaming Charges

President Donald Trump voiced his disagreement with the “crazy” streaming charges to watch football games. Journalist Sharyl Attkisson interviewed President Trump over the steps his administration would consider for the overpriced streaming charges.

Per Mike Kadlick, contributing writer at SI, President Trump was also asked about the NFL’s move to broadcast their games via non-traditional platforms. 

“They have to be careful, you know, others have tried this,” said the President. “And all of a sudden you don’t have a sport anymore…. There’s something very sad when they take football away from many. Very sad. I don’t like it.”

Kadlick also added that the United States Department of Justice recently launched a probe against the NFL for using “anticompetitive tactics that harm customers”.

This comes after Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch cautioned President Trump that if streamers gained rights to game streaming, they would eventually put an end to broadcast networks. 

The President expressed his discontent with the entire ordeal but concluded by saying that the government is unlikely to intervene.

What are your thoughts on streaming services taking on sports?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi