Sens. McCain, Blumenthal Ask FCC To Consider Changes To Sports Blackout Rules

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday asking the commission to move forward with plans to potentially change the sports blackout rules. Nearly a year ago, the FCC had asked for public comments on rule, adopted by the FCC in 1975.

"Commenters have put forth a wide range of proposals, from maintaining the Sports Blackout Rule in its current form, to establishing a sunset and renewal process, to eliminating the rule altogether," the two senators write in the letter written to acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. "With so much detailed information on the record from such a wide range of stakeholders, it is time for the Commission to take the next logical step and move to a [notice of proposed rulemaking]."

An earlier rule had required local broadcasters to black out games if the game was not sold out. In 1975, the FCC expanded the guidelines to cover cable and satellite providers and prevented them from carrying a game if it is blacked out on local broadcast TV stations. The rule was slightly altered last year, when the NFL agreed to let teams decide to allow local broadcasters to air games if they are at least 85 percent sold out.

Cable and satellite providers are pushing for changes in the rules, as are some sports fans advocacy groups who note that the rules prevent fans who can't afford tickets from watching the games.

A spokesperson for the FCC declined to comment on the senators' letter or the status of any proposals to change the rule.