McCain, Blumenthal Applaud FCC Move By Unanimous Vote To Consider Proposal To Eliminate Sports Blackout Rule

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) move by unanimous vote to consider a proposal to eliminate 40-year-old sports blackout rules that prohibit cable and satellite providers from carrying a game if it is blacked out on television due to insufficient ticket sales.

“The FCC’s unanimous vote today is a big victory for sports fans,” said Senator McCain. “This June, Senator Blumenthal and I sent a letter to FCC Acting Chair Clyburn, urging the Commission to move to eliminate the Sports Blackout Rule, which is no longer supported by facts or logic. For years I have worked to reform the regulatory framework that favors the interests of cable and television programming companies and the leagues over those of sports fans and cable consumers. There is much more work to be done, but the FCC’s vote today moves us one step closer to the finish line.”

Senator Blumenthal said, “The FCC’s action today is a tremendously positive step forward for consumers and sports fans. Existing blackout policies quite literally leave fans in the dark, and leagues or programmers that enforce them should not be rewarded with special regulatory status, antitrust exemptions, or taxpayer subsidies. To combat this abuse, Senator McCain and I introduced the FANS Act and the Television Consumer Freedom Act. Fans deserve a level playing field that gives them fair access to their favorite teams.” 

In November, McCain and Blumenthal introduced the Furthering Access and Networks for Sports (FANS) Act of 2013 – legislation that would decrease the frequency of sports blackouts by requiring leagues to meet basic obligations to fans if they wish to continue receiving substantial benefits from the public.