Super Bowl champ Steve Beuerlein calls the NFL’s costly streaming service requirements for fans ‘overkill’

Steve Beuerlein speaks at the JESPYS awards at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, on May 29, 2025.(Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

The former Pro Bowl quarterback also talked about how expensive it is for fans to attend NFL games, calling the ticket prices exorbitant.

“It’s almost unaffordable for fans to go to a game and take their family to a game these days in most scenarios.There are some owners that are doing a really good job of getting creative and making tickets available for those that that otherwise would not be able to afford to go, but the cost is so exorbitant these days,” Beuerlein said.

Beuerlein lamented that fans can’t just watch all the games on TV at home for free, calling the NFL’s expansion to streaming services overkill.

“And then now to really make it that much more expensive to sit at home and try to get coverage and watch a game on television.It almost is a little bit of overkill if you ask me.I understand the argument from the fans’ perspective,” he said.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Steve Beuerlein plays against the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on July 29, 1995.(Michael C.Hebert/USA TODAY NETWORK)

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Beuerlein said he understands it’s a business, but is sympathetic toward the fans.

“These owners are always trying to find new ways to create revenue streams because salaries are going up for sure, and it seems like it’s on a never-ending cycle, but I definitely am sympathetic to the fans,” Beuerlein said.

NFL fans who want access to every game need to purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket” in addition to the costly subscriptions for all the streaming services the NFL uses to broadcast games.

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Those streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix.The combination of those respective services is over $1,500 a year, and that doesn’t include the fees that come with basic cable packages or high-speed Wi-Fi needed to accommodate the platforms.

‘NFL REDZONE’ HOST SCOTT HANSON SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS FAN FRUSTRATION OVER COSTLY STREAMING SUBSCRIPTIONS

Steve Beuerlein waves at a Netflix event for “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” at Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on Aug.11, 2025.(Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

The Justice Department reportedly opened an investigation into the NFL over its use of streaming services.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in a 1997 season game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sept.7, 1997.(RVR Photos/USA TODAY Sports)

“Getting broadcast policy right includes empowering broadcasters to respond to this widely felt consumer need and ensure broadcasters’ continued ability to serve local communities not only through sports but other programming, as well.”

Beuerlein played 14 seasons in the NFL.He played for the then-Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.He was a backup quarterback when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1992.

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He made the Pro Bowl with the Panthers in 1999.In 147 games (102 starts), he completed 56.9% of passes for 24,046 yards, with 147 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

� Ryan Gaydos and Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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