St. Petersburg, FL -- A number of national public interest groups are now pushing the FCC to end its sports blackout rule.
The organization, Sports Fans Coalition along with four other groups filed the petition Friday. They say the blackout rule is an unnecessary government regulation that props up sports leagues, when they don't need it. The rule has been around since the 1970's. They feel leagues are charging too much for tickets, especially in this still struggling economy. The organization's executive director says fans and taxpayers have shelled out billions of dollars to NFL stadiums around the country and the league should not be blacking out games in return. He told 10 News the group has already met with FCC commissioners.
"All we're asking is that at the very least, they allow, you know, open up a docket and allow for public conversation. Allow fans and other consumers and media and the leagues to weigh in and say here's what's best," Sports Fans Coalition Executive Director Brian Frederick said.
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