{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/higgins-announces-fcc-ruling-calling-for-the-repeal-of-sports-blackout", "Higgins Announces FCC Ruling Calling for the Repeal of Sports Blackout Rules", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Brian Higgins", "H001038", "higgins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) hailed a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which calls for the repeal of existing federal policies that contribute to the televised blackout of professional sports. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0\n\u201cFor the last 40 years fans that have supported their hometown teams through their patronage and tax dollars have been unfairly shut out of watching games,\u201d said Congressman Higgins. \u00a0\u201cWith today\u2019s ruling by the FCC we end the federal role in this unfair process and add momentum and public pressure to a full-scale end to sports blackouts.\u201d\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0\nIn November the FCC Chair first proposed the elimination of federal regulations that support sports blackouts after an extended public comment period. \u00a0Yesterday the board of commissioners issued their support for that proposal. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0\nIn a report issued today, the FCC concludes in part:\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe propose to eliminate the sports blackout rules. With respect to professional football, the sport most affected by the sports blackout rules, it appears from the existing record that television revenues have replaced gate receipts as the most significant source of revenue for NFL clubs in the 40 years since the rules were first adopted. \u00a0Moreover, the record received thus far indicates no direct link between blackouts and increased attendance at NFL games\u2026 Thus, it appears that the sports blackout rules have become obsolete. Accordingly, if the record in this proceeding, as updated and supplemented by commenters, confirms that the sports blackout rules are no longer necessary to ensure the overall availability to the public of sports telecasts, we propose to repeal these rules.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThis week\u2019s Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins game is the latest to fall victim to the blackout rules, preventing dedicated fans from watching the game locally. \u00a0Congressman Higgins, whose district is home to the Buffalo Bills, has been vocal in his opposition to the outdated blackout policies. \u00a0Below is a brief history of the Congressman\u2019s involvement.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0\n\u00a0\nMost recently, Congressman Higgins introduced the FANS Act, the House of Representatives version of a bill introduced by Senators Blumenthal and McCain in the Senate. \u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe FANS Act:\n\u00a0\n Removes the antitrust exemption that allows the NFL to blackout home games if they don\u2019t sell out tickets\n\tDoesn\u2019t allow cable companies to use the threat of blackouts as leverage in contract negotiations\u00a0\n\tAsks leagues to make home games available on the Internet when a game is not available on television through broadcasters or subscription channels\n\tApplies the antitrust laws to Major League Baseball\u00a0\n \u00a0\nThe NFL has a policy of blacking out games that are not sold out to the home market. A 1961 federal law requires broadcasters (networks) to abide by the League\u2019s blackout policy. In January 2012 the FCC opened up a public comment period on a long-time FCC rule that requires cable or satellite providers to honor the blackout rule if it applies to the local affiliate it carries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/higgins-announces-fcc-ruling-calling-for-the-repeal-of-sports-blackout"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6842699367552996, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}