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I received the following press release from David Goodfriend, Chairman of the Sports Fan Coalition. The FCC is expected to vote to end the blackout rules currently allowing the NFL to blackout games in local markets, which haven't sold out stadium games.
PRESS RELEASE
Sports Fans Counting Down the Clock on the FCC Sports Blackout Rule
Historic Vote Tomorrow Would be Major Victory for Fans
Contact: David Goodfriend, Chairman
david.goodfriend@gmail.com
(202) 549-5612
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2014 -- On the eve of the Federal Communications Commission's historic vote to end its 40-year-old Sports Blackout Rule, Sports Fans Coalition made one final plea to the Commission to eliminate the rule. The Commission will hold its final vote on the rule on Tuesday morning, September 30, 2014, at 10:30 AM ET.
"The fat lady is singing about the Sports Blackout Rule," Sports Fans Coalition Chairman David Goodfriend said. "Sports fans around the country are watching the clock and waiting for the FCC to finally put an end to this archaic and anti-fan practice."
Tuesday's vote marks the end of a three-year campaign by Sports Fans Coalition, which was joined by other consumer groups, Members of Congress, and thousands of sports fans. Along the way, the National Football League and the National Association of Broadcasters launched campaigns to discredit Sports Fans Coalition and convince NFL fans that blackouts were good for them.
"They threw everything they had at us and we're still standing," said Brad Blakeman, Sports Fans Coalition Board member. "Tomorrow's vote will send a message to the NFL and other sports leagues that the free ride they've been given by the government is over."
The FCC meeting can be viewed here.
About Sports Fans Coalition: The nation's largest sports fan advocacy group, founded by Clinton and Bush White House staffers in 2009 and based in Washington, D.C.
About the Sports Blackout Rule: The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 grants sports leagues an antitrust exemption to prohibit local broadcasters from airing a local game. The FCC's rule prohibits cable and satellite companies from airing the game if the local broadcaster is blacked out.