The NFL is standing firm on its current media-rights strategy, despite growing criticism from President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice over the cost and accessibility of watching games on streaming platforms. In response to questions about the league's 2026 schedule, a top executive made it clear: the NFL has no plans to change its approach.

"We love our model," said Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, in a recent interview with ESPN. "We think we have the most fan-friendly model there is of any sport or entertainment as far as distribution."

The controversy stems from the league's decision to spread its games across a mix of broadcast television and streaming services like ESPN, Peacock, Netflix, and Prime Video. While this gives fans more options than ever, it also means viewers may need multiple subscriptions to catch every game—a reality that has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders.

President Trump weighed in during an interview with The National Desk, calling the situation "very sad." When asked if the league's streaming strategy amounted to "price gouging," Trump replied, "There's something very sad when they take football away from many, many people. You have people that live for Sunday. They can't think about anything else. And then all of the sudden they have to pay $1,000 a game? It's crazy. I'm not happy about it."

Despite the political heat, the NFL appears unmoved. The league's 2026 schedule, released Thursday, showcases the full scope of its current broadcast deals—and Schroeder's comments suggest fans should expect more of the same moving forward. For the NFL, the streaming-first approach is here to stay, even if it means navigating a tough conversation about affordability and access.