Ohio bill would ban TV blackouts of games
10/19/12 at 10:59am by scoolidge

State Representative Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown, wants Ohio sports fans whose tax dollars built team stadiums to see their professional sports teams on TV — even if they’re blacked out.

So he introduced a bill this week that would ban local sports teams that play in stadiums partially or fully funded with public dollars from “blacking out” televised broadcasts.

The legislation would prohibit any pro-sports team that regularly plays in a stadium built with money from the state or other political subdivision from entering into a contract that allows for televised ‘black outs’ due to the lack of a certain number of tickets remaining unsold.

Under the law, any team that violates this law would be legally compelled to pay back to the state, county, or other political subdivision an amount equal to what was originally financed by the public.

Blackouts happen when stadiums aren’t filled to a certain capacity.

Just counting the state’s pro-football teams, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio taxpayers have spent over $600 million to build two sports stadiums, he pointed out.

“This will ensure that the taxpayers who have helped finance many of the pro-sports stadiums and arenas in Ohio are able to enjoy the entertainment for which they paid, whether in the stadium itself or from the comfort of their own home,” Hagan said.

Hagan admitted there may be federal regulations to overcome. “While a state law prohibiting the practice may end up being considered in court, I welcome any such debate on an issue that Ohio’s taxpayer’s – and sports fans – should find important,” he said.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/201...-of-games/