HUGE! McCain Introduces Legislation Prohibiting TV Blackouts in Stadiums Built with Public Money
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today did sports fans a huge solid by including a provision in his new telecom bill that would eliminate the sports blackout rule in stadiums that have received, in part or whole, public financing. Sports Fans Coalition applauds Sen. McCain for standing up for fans and putting an end to this [...]
Forbes: Carolina Panthers Get Third-Richest Gift in NFL History
Because the current system of professional sports allows pro sports team owners to hold cities hostage, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was able to extract $87.5 million from the people of Charlotte to renovate his 17-year-old stadium. The gift came with only a six-year promise from Richardson to stay in town. That means the people [...]
CNN Reports on “Non-Profit”, Tax-Exempt Pro Sports Leagues
On Tuesday, CNN’s Jake Tapper reported on the tax-exempt status of the NFL, NHL and MLS because they are “non-profits” and the report featured an interview with Sports Fans Coalition Board Member Brian Frederick. Brian previously wrote about this issue in a column that was read wide and far, including by those in league offices. [...]
Thanks to Sen. Blumenthal for Continuing to Fight Against Blackouts!
The most powerful regulators of media and communications in the U.S. heard from our Most Valuable Policymaker yesterday and the results were great for fans. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who was honored at Sports Fans Coalition’s “Most Valuable Policymaker” (MVP) awards last year, grilled FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the other four FCC Commissioners at [...]
Despite New Blackout Policy, NFL Blacked Out 15 Games in 2012
There were 15 NFL blackouts in 2012, down only one from 16 in 2011. Following calls from Sports Fans Coalition and others, the NFL instituted a new blackout policy this season, allowing teams to voluntarily lower their blackout threshold to as low as 85%. However, those teams that did lower it had to pay a [...]
After Securing $226 Million in Subsidies, Buffalo Bills Black Out Fans for Final Game
The Buffalo Bills are blacking out their final game of the season against the New York Jets less than a week after securing $226 million in public subsidies for renovations to Ralph Wilson Stadium. As Deadspin put it, the Bills “blackmailed New York taxpayers into covering 84% of stadium renovations,” and then turn around and [...]
Tampa Bay Bucs End Season by Blacking Out Fans for 6th Time — NFL is Fan-Tastic!
The Tampa Bay Bucs are blacking out fans for the sixth time in eight games this season. Tampa Bay has now blacked out fans for 25 of its last 29 games. IT’S OBVIOUSLY WORKING! The blackout is the 14th in the NFL this season. The Oakland Raiders have received an extension for ticket sales for [...]
Atlanta to Demolish 20-Year-Old Stadium Because Falcons Owner Can’t Compete with TV’s
We frequently advise you to check out FieldofSchemes.com, run by the incomparable Neil deMause, and his last two posts on the Atlanta Falcons stadium situation are especially maddening. As we’ve previously told you, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is forcing Atlanta (if they want to, you know, keep the Falcons) to build him a new stadium [...]
NHL Lockout Doing “Alarming” Damage to Brand
Roy MacGregor at the Globe and Mail has a must read article today on the long-term effects of the NHL lockout. MacGregor examines the findings of a new survey by Level5 Strategy that shows just how damaging the NHL lockout is to the brand. From MacGregor: According to Level5 chief executive officer David Kincaid, the [...]
NFL Blacks Out San Diego Charger Fans for Fourth Time This Season
Rather than just buying up the remaining 11,000 tickets to Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, the San Diego Chargers owner would rather black out loyal Charger fans. It is the fourth time in seven games that Southern California will be unable to watch the Chargers. The Chargers tried to use Groupon to move the [...]
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