Awesome! Our second major work stoppage in professional sports. Apparently owners and players in both the NFL and NBA are willing to stick it to fans if it means getting their way. Congrats, guys!

Read more here.

For Immediate Release: Contact: Ben Fishel
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 (301) 908-4244 ben@sportsfans.org

NFL Fights Sports Fans to Keep Blackout Rule
League Asks FCC to Ignore Fans’ Calls for End of Blackouts

In comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, the National Football League responded to comments previously filed by Sports Fans Coalition regarding sports blackouts. In May, Sports Fans Coalition asked the FCC to reexamine its own rules on blackouts and retransmission “take-downs” that occur when broadcasters and TV providers are in a dispute.

“The NFL is clearly scared that we are finally shining a bright light on the dirty business of sports blackouts,” Sports Fans Coalition Executive Director Brian Frederick said today. “We asked the FCC to prevent sports programming from being used as a weapon in retransmission fights and to examine whether sports blackouts are even necessary. Only the NFL chose to speak up and absurdly claim that sports blackouts are actually necessary for fans.”

In its May comments filed with the FCC, Sports Fans Coalition argued that Congress never mandated the FCC to rule on sports blackouts and take-downs and that the best situation for fans would be the elimination of blackouts and take-downs.

“Fans are looking for a referee that puts them back in the game,” Frederick said. “It is time for the FCC to simply review its own rules on blackouts and take-downs, especially given the many new forms of media now available to fans.”

In its comments with the FCC on Monday, the NFL claimed it “uses its negotiating authority in the public interest.” The NFL’s comments come during the midst of a lockout of its players. In February, United States District Court Judge David S. Doty wrote that the “record shows that the N.F.L. undertook contract renegotiations to advance its own interests and harm the interests of the players.”

“While the NFL locks out its own players and fans in the interests of profits, it is asking that it be allowed to continue to receive government subsidies and anti-trust exemptions,” Frederick said. “Enough is enough. Their views are out-of-bounds with the best interests of fans and the law.”

Sports Fans Coalition is a nonprofit established in 2009 that is fighting to give fans a voice on issues like media blackouts, high ticket prices, stadium construction and college football playoffs. In January, they launched Save Next Season, a campaign featuring a petition signed by thousands of fans calling on the NFL and NFLPA to guarantee there will be a 2011 season.

CONTACT: Ben Fishel (301) 908-4424, ben@sportsfans.org

by Scott Weiss

The NBA owners and players are pushing negotiations right up to the June 30 deadline. The two sides agreed today to hold a final negotiating session on Thursday, the day that the present collective bargaining agreement expires. Unfortunately, all indications point to a second professional sports lockout of the year.

For the complete story click here.

Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins pens another fantastic column today, which includes a quote from our Executive Director Brian Frederick. Jenkins has been on the side of fans throughout the NFL lockout and she continues to point out the greed and hypocrisy of those running sports.

Read her latest here.

And here was a previous column on fans and the NFL which quoted Frederick.

(You can view all her columns here.)

Over the weekend, the Arizona Republic reported that between 2006 and 2009, the Arizona Cardinals gave out free tickets to Arizona lawmakers to help improve its standing with the legislature. The Cardinals didn’t have a particular piece of legislation it was trying to get passed, but still, even the Phoenix Suns and Coyotes don’t engage in the practice, calling it a “bad idea.”

The climate the Cardinals were trying to cultivate (following the lead of the Fiesta Bowl), is one where the legislature hands over massive public subsidies for sports. This is exactly how stadium bills get passed, despite overwhelming public opposition in most cases.

Read more here.