Tallahassee, Florida - The idea to start fining NFL teams in Florida for blacking out home games is moving ahead at the state Capitol.
Sen. Mike Fasano wants to fine pro sports teams that black out broadcasts of games played in publicly funded stadiums.
That includes the Tampa Bay Bucs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins. All three teams are receiving $60 million from taxpayers over 30 years.
Fasano argues blackouts are not fair to fans since they're paying the teams $2 million a year in cash incentives. This week a Senate committee agreed with him and unanimously passed a bill targeting blackouts.
Fasano said he was extremely pleased with the first vote on the issue.
"It's time for those owners to step up to the plate and now give something back to those taxpayers, either purchase the tickets, give them away to avoid any future blackouts and thereby allowing the home fans watch their home team on television."
Under the bill, any fines against NFL teams would be used to buy tickets to games for foster children and their families, nonprofit youth organizations and soldiers on leave from active duty in combat zones.
Sen. Fasano says his bill has gotten the attention of groups in other states, as well as the Federal Communications Commission.
"The FCC now is taking the issue up, to what extent I don't know, but at least now they're starting to ask questions. They're starting to take testimony, which tells me and I think others as well, that the NFL had better come up with a better reason for a 50-year-old archaic policy that needs to go away."
The legislation would also require publicly funded sports franchises to open up their facilities as homeless shelters when they're not being used.
Dave Heller
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