Throwing the Flag on the Cox/Charter Merger
Charter and Cox want to close a multibillion dollar mega-merger. Let’s be clear: this deal could sideline millions of fans. Both Cox and Charter have a well-documented track record of blackouts and high-stakes carriage disputes that have shut fans out of watching their favorite teams. Remember missing that key rivalry game because of a contract fight? They’re one of the culprits. Now they want to grow bigger, gain more leverage, and jack up the pressure on fans who’ve ditched cable in favor of streamingThat’s not a merger. That’s a recipe for more blackouts, more frustration, and less access for fans.
New York Sports Fans Demand Relief from Overpriced Video Packages.
NY Sports Fans, sick of paying inflated prices for a bunch of channels you don’t want, just so you can watch your Knicks, Jets, Giants, Rangers, Yankees, or Mets? You’re not alone. Millions of fans across the nation remain trapped in a game rigged by media giants who force TV providers to cram a bunch of channels no one wants into overpriced, overstuffed channel bundles, forcing you, the sports fan, to pay more than you should. And when distributors refuse to pay the ransom demanded by big media companies, the result can be a total black out, robbing sports fans –who just want to see the games– of both their money and their sports.
Senate Commerce Committee Delivers Reality Check to Sports Leagues on Sports Streaming
Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on the current status of the sports streaming market. The witnesses were representatives from the NBA, MLB, and the NHL, and John Bergmayer who is the Legal Director for Sports Fans Coalition ally Public Knowledge.
Maine LD 913 was for the Fan—Until the Monopoly and Their Allies got Their Hands on It
There’s an old saying in politics: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” And unfortunately for Maine’s sports fans, that’s exactly what happened with LD 913. When LD 913 was first introduced, we cheered! The bill was clear, simple, and absolutely necessary: it aimed to protect your right to use, gift, or resell your ticket without interference. In other words—it made sure that when you buy a ticket, you own it. Period.
TICKET Act More Popular Than Ever, Passes House of Representatives 409-15
Today, the TICKET Act (HB 1402) passed the House of Representatives 409-15, marking the second time the bill has passed the House with enormous bipartisan support. Last year, the vote was 388-24, but this year, the bill gained support despite a massive opposition effort by industry special interests.
Commanders Stadium Deal: Private Equity, Public Robbery
After years of disappointment, the Washington Commanders finally had a decent season — and Mayor Bowser wasted no time in rewarding them. Today, she rolled out the red carpet for billionaire private equity baron Josh Harris, offering a jaw-dropping $1 billion-plus taxpayer giveaway to move the team back to RFK Stadium. Never mind that the city is already staring down a massive budget shortfall thanks to Congressional gridlock. And never mind that just last year, DC handed half a billion dollars to Monumental Sports for Capital One Arena.
TICKET Act clears House Energy & Commerce Committee
Once again, ticketing policy takes center stage in Washington, DC. Last week, President Trump signed an Executive Order “to protect fans from exploitative ticket scalping and bring commonsense reforms to America’s live entertainment ticketing industry.” Today, the House Energy & Commerce Committee marked up the TICKET Act (H.R. 1402), a bipartisan, fan-first bill that could forever change how we buy tickets online. The bill passed the committee by voice vote. The only ‘no’ vote was by Congresswoman Clarke and it was not based on the substance of the bill but in protest of broader political dynamics.
Let Maine sports fans, not monopolies, control tickets
Maine sports fans know a thing or two about loyalty. Whether it’s packing Hadlock Field to cheer on the Portland Sea Dogs, braving the cold for a Maine Mariners game, or heading down to Gillette Stadium to watch the Patriots, Mainers show up.