NFL Blackout Ban Advances as Amendment in Senate Committee

An effort to block the NFL from blacking out televised games played at publicly supported stadiums in Florida got the backing after being amended to another bill -- of the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Monday.

The initial bill by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, SB 836, would fine teams that benefit from public dollars $125,000 each time a game is blacked out.

The NFL has been using the threat of blackouts -- prohibiting games from airing within 75 miles of the stadium if every ticket isnt sold 72 hours prior to kickoff -- as a means to encourage teams to sell out games since 1973. Nationally 16 games had local blackouts this year. There were 26 in 2010.

The bill was added to SB 816 by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.

Bennetts bill requires pro sports facilities that receive public money to also operate a homeless shelter.

I thank Senator Bennett for his desire to assist the fans of professional sports by offering to amend his bill with the blackout ban language, Fasano stated in a release. With the unanimous support of the committee, I look forward to this good bill moving forward.

Money from the fine would be used to pay for tickets for foster children, nonprofit youth organizations and the United Service Organization for service members on leave from active duty in a combat zone.

Fasano has previously noted that the Florida Legislature has provided professional teams with $60 million in tax credit to draw them or retain them in the state.

The Florida Legislature isnt the only agency that may be cracking down on blackouts.

The Federal Communications Commission was reported last week to be reconsidering the blackout rule.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, requested a review of the policy because the Cincinnati Bengals were unable to sell out six of their eight regular-season home games, costing local TV stations millions of dollars, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier.