The pending merger between Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media poses a severe threat to the ability of sports fans to watch games across the country, including blacking out signals during fee negotiations with cable and satellite providers to strong-arm a deal. Continue reading

Yesterday, along with National Consumers League and Consumers Action, we sent a letter to the FTC asking to reopen an investigation into fraud rampant through the ticket resale industry. “We are calling on the FTC to revisit the 2014 settlement, and broaden the scope of its investigation to cover other domain networks, increase punitive damages on these bad actors, and take more aggressive remedial actions to stop these websites from scamming consumers in the future,” read the letter. Continue reading

Do you make the safe bet? Take the risk on the underdog? Or, do you live in a state that doesn’t allow sports betting? Likely you fit into the latter category. But all this could change with the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision about a federal statute governing sports betting: Christie v. NCAA. Continue reading

Last week, the unthinkable happened. Months into a turf restoration project, the National Park Service announced its plan to shun sports from the green space along the National Mall between 3rd and 17th Streets Northwest. Continue reading

As an organization, we hold many mixed feelings concerning the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We’ve already expressed some concerns about its impact on middle and lower-income fans. Since these folks represent a vast majority of sports fans, we have trouble wholeheartedly supporting the legislation. Continue reading

It’s rare an NFL owner will target the NFL itself. However, Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, has had enough of Commissioner Roger Goodell. Continue reading

Earlier this week, House Republicans introduced HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They hope these tax cuts will stimulate the economy. Within in the bill is a provision, Section 3604, that effectively eliminates the federal tax subsidy for sports stadiums. When we received the news, we were happy to see lawmakers addressing this wasteful practice. The section is based on a standalone bill we've been advocating for called the "No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act." This bill has bipartisan support from several Democrats and Republicans.  Continue reading

But there’s still a lot of game time left. Continue reading

Sports have always had a spooky side. Son of Sam stalked the Yankees’ backyard in the 1970s. The Gipper haunts Notre Dame. But today, one of the scariest stories in sports is the tale of David Smith, Executive Chairman of Sinclair Broadcasting Group. Continue reading

Ever since Sports Fans Coalition came out against the proposed Sinclair/Tribune merger, we have watched as Official Washington seems to be greasing the gears for this anti-fan deal.  In the latest twist, following FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal to eliminate the Main Studio Rule, the FCC voted today 3-2 to eliminate the rule. Now, without the rule, Sinclair won't even have to pretend like they’re local. Continue reading