PRINTER'S NO. 2798
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
358
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MADSEN, MARCH 26, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, MARCH 26, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Federal Communications Commission to collaborate with
the National Football League and national broadcast partners
to develop a system where fan input is considered when
assigning secondary market broadcasts.
WHEREAS, In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission
repealed its sports blackout rules, which had prohibited cable
and satellite operators from airing any sports events that were
blacked out on a local broadcast station; and
WHEREAS, Since 2014, due to the nature of the National
Football League's broadcast deals, regional coverage is dictated
by the league's national broadcast partners transmitting
different games to different markets based on secondary market
assignments; and
WHEREAS, Secondary market assignments are adjoining markets
assigned at the discretion of the National Football League; and
WHEREAS, Secondary markets often are forced to view teams
that do not have a large following in these markets; and
WHEREAS, Central Pennsylvania has a large population of
Pittsburgh Steelers fans, however due to secondary market
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assignments, often Baltimore Ravens games are broadcast, with
similar situations occurring in northeast Pennsylvania where
Philadelphia Eagles fans miss out on games because New York
teams are featured instead; and
WHEREAS, Secondary market decisions not only affect dedicated
fans, but also have adverse financial effects on the earnings of
broadcast stations forced to carry less popular teams; and
WHEREAS, Local bars and eating establishments suffer
hardships that damage their bottom line when fans stay away on
game day; and
WHEREAS, The thoughts of Pennsylvania football fans deserve
to be recognized by the entities making the decisions in
televising National Football League games; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Federal Communications
Commission to collaborate with the National Football League and
national broadcast partners to develop a system where fan input
is considered when assigning secondary market broadcasts.
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