For the Fans Act
Sponsored By: Senator Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced
Summary
Free, live access for local fans and a ban on blackout rules for league streaming. This bill would bar blackout practices by league streamers and require leagues to ensure each local fan can view every live game of their team at no cost and at a quality not less than the best available.
Show full summary
- Local fans: Local fans would get free live access to every game of their team through a single viewing method, such as a local telecast or a league streaming service supported by ads. Exceptions apply to minor league teams and to leagues with fewer than 8 teams.
- Leagues and streaming services: League streamers would be prohibited from imposing any blackout, including geographic blackouts, and must make every game available to viewers. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts and subject to penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
- Enforcement and states: The Federal Communications Commission would handle complaints about the free-access requirement for local fans. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents to stop violations, obtain damages or restitution, and recover attorney fees.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Free local live games, no blackouts
If enacted, the bill would ban streaming blackouts by covered league streaming services. It would require leagues to give each local fan free access to every live game at a quality not less than the best available. That free access must be provided through a single viewing method for all games and may be supported by advertising. The rule would not apply to minor league teams or to leagues with fewer than eight teams. The bill would define who counts as a league, a league streamer, and a local fan. The FTC would enforce the blackout ban and would be able to write rules to implement it, and the FCC would handle complaints about failures to provide free local access.
State attorneys general can sue
If enacted, the bill would let a State attorney general sue in federal court on behalf of residents harmed by violations of the Act. The State could seek injunctions, damages, restitution, or other relief under State law. If the State wins, courts could award reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs to the prevailing State.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov