This petition is born from a personal story and from my own affinity for the game of football. 

My 81-year-old mother, who fell in love with football as my father played semi-professionally for the Baltimore Eagles, is now unable to enjoy her love of the game because of the NFL's decision to broadcast games exclusively on streaming platforms. My mother has an iPhone, and she can manage texting and FaceTiming her grandchildren, but she cannot navigate more intricate technology such as streaming platforms like Peacock, nor should she have to pay extra for an app or a premium channel on her fixed income.  

In fact, seniors and many others on a fixed income should not have to subscribe to Amazon Prime to watch Thursday Night Football, nor should they have to upgrade their tv viewing service to see games solely being broadcast on cherry-picked channels such as NFL Network. 

The NFL's move towards exclusive broadcasting rights for streaming platforms is not only a greedy attempt at yet another money-grab, it also alienates the fans, many of whom are questioning their loyalty to an organization that has become more and more politicized. Among those fans affected are members of the Baby Boomer generation and those without much disposable income (whether fixed income or low income). According to Pew Research Center data from 2019, only about 59% of people aged 65 or older use the internet regularly (source: Pew Research Center). This means that many elderly fans are left out in this shift towards digitalization.

This petition calls upon the NFL and Commissioner Goodell to reconsider its broadcasting policies and ensure ALL games are aired concurrently on major networks accessible by everyone. The joy of watching football should not be limited by one's ability to pay for or navigate through online streaming services nor having to pay for extra amenities.

Please sign and share this petition if you believe that all fans deserve equal access to their favorite sport regardless of age or income level!