Packers 'Concerned' as Congress Reviews Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961

Green Bay officials warn changes to the law could threaten the team's viability in the NFL's smallest market.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:35pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football game, with overlapping planes of muted green, gold, and navy blue tones, conveying the complex challenges facing the Green Bay Packers as Congress reviews the Sports Broadcasting Act.The potential unraveling of the Sports Broadcasting Act could disrupt the Packers' financial stability and competitive balance in the NFL.Green Bay Today

The Green Bay Packers have expressed concern over the U.S. Congress reviewing the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, a law that has allowed the NFL to collectively negotiate television deals and share revenue equally among teams. Packers officials say the law has been critical to keeping the team viable and competitive in the league's smallest market, and they fear changes or a repeal of the law could jeopardize the team's future.

Why it matters

The Packers are one of the NFL's most iconic franchises, but they have long faced challenges due to playing in the league's smallest market. The Sports Broadcasting Act has been a key factor in allowing the team to remain competitive and accessible to local fans, and any changes to the law could disrupt the financial and competitive balance that has sustained the Packers in Green Bay.

The details

The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 allowed the NFL to negotiate television deals as a single entity and share revenue equally among all teams. This has been crucial for the Packers, who play in the league's smallest market of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey says the law 'establishes structure in the NFL to collectively bargain negotiation rights to put the games on the air' and has been vital to the team's viability and success.

  • The U.S. Congress is currently reviewing the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.

The players

Aaron Popkey

Director of Public Affairs for the Green Bay Packers.

Scott Fitzgerald

U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district.

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What they’re saying

“'It establishes structure in the NFL to collectively bargain negotiation rights to put the games on the air. It being reviewed is of concern to us.'”

— Aaron Popkey, Director of Public Affairs, Green Bay Packers

“'This would undermine financial equity and therefore disrupt competitive balance, threatening the ability of the Packers to meaningfully compete and making it more difficult for fans to watch the Packers play.'”

— Green Bay Packers

What’s next

The Packers have reached out to members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation, but no guarantees have been made on the next steps regarding the review of the Sports Broadcasting Act.

The takeaway

The potential changes to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 pose an existential threat to the Green Bay Packers, one of the NFL's most iconic franchises. The law has been critical in allowing the team to remain viable and competitive in the league's smallest market, and any disruption to the financial and competitive balance it provides could jeopardize the Packers' future in Green Bay.