This bill, called the For the Fans Act, would change how professional sports games are offered to viewers. It defines "league," "league streamer," and "local fan." A "league streamer" is a streaming service closely tied to a league. The bill would ban any blackouts by a league streamer, including geographic blackouts, so customers of that streamer could view every live game. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce the no-blackout rule and could write rules to carry it out. The bill also requires each league to provide every local fan free live access to all games for that local team. The free access must be at no cost, at a quality no less than the best available, and delivered the same way for all games (for example, a local telecast or a single streaming service). That free option may include advertising support. The free-access requirement does not apply to minor league teams or to leagues with fewer than eight teams. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would handle complaints about the free-access rule. State attorneys general can bring civil actions on behalf of residents for violations and seek injunctions, damages, or other relief, and a court may award reasonable attorney's fees.
No publicly available information.
The text of the bill states its purpose is to "improve the access of consumers to professional sports broadcasts." The bill would end blackouts by league-branded streamers and require free, good-quality live access for local fans.
No publicly available information.