The National Football League is facing scrutiny from federal regulators over its media rights dealmaking practices, with the Department of Justice reportedly launching an investigation into potential anticompetitive behavior.

The investigation centers on the NFL's recent record-breaking media rights agreements, which have granted broadcasting rights to multiple companies. Regulators are examining whether the league's negotiation tactics violated antitrust laws during these high-value deals.

Members of Congress have also expressed frustration with the NFL's dominant position in the live sports marketplace. Critics argue the league wields unmatched leverage when negotiating media contracts, potentially limiting competition and affecting consumer costs for viewing games.

The NFL, led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, has not publicly responded to the reported investigation. The league's media rights deals represent some of the most valuable broadcasting agreements in professional sports, generating billions in revenue annually.

This investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of corporate practices and antitrust enforcement across various industries. Federal regulators have increased focus on examining whether large organizations use their market position to engage in anticompetitive behavior that could harm consumers or stifle competition.