For the first time in a long time . . . Here's some Jeff City legislation that I'm excited about and just might make a difference in my life given that watching The Chiefs lose during the late season is a Kansas City tradition.
Check it:
Holsman Files Bill to avoid TV blackout of Missouri sporting eventsSeriously, any TKC reader who knows a State Rep. or has a number needs to get in contact and tell them to support this effort that just might be the most important bit of legislation in Jeff City right now.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Professional sports franchises would be ineligible to receive public funding if any of their home games are blacked out from local television broadcast under legislation filed this week by state Rep. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City. Holsman's bill is an effort to encourage professional sports leagues to reverse broadcast blackout policies which the Representative calls 'antiquated.'
A television with static on the screen.House Bill 1986 targets a National Football League policy that prohibits games from being broadcast within a 75-mile radius of the host city if the game hasn't sold out 72 hours prior to the scheduled kickoff. As a result of the policy, one Kansas City Chiefs game and three St. Louis Rams games were blacked out on local television during the 2009 NFL season. Both teams play in stadiums that are subsidized by state and local taxpayers.
"Many Missouri football fans simply can't afford to attend NFL games yet are forced to subsidize the league through their state and local taxes," Holsman said. "It isn't asking much of a league that benefits greatly from taxpayer subsidies to guarantee that scheduled television broadcasts of home games won't be blacked out due to failure of the team to achieve a sellout. For the millions of dollars Kansas City, St. Louis and Missouri taxpayers have poured into the Chiefs and Rams, they deserve something in return."
A group of fans cheer on the Kansas Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.Prior to the Dec. 20 blackout of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Cleveland Browns at Arrowhead Stadium, the team boasted an impressive streak of home sellouts that spanned 19 years and 156 games. The last previous Chiefs home game that failed to sellout and was blacked out happened on Dec. 16, 1990.
The St. Louis Rams' home games at the Edward Jones Dome have been blacked out a handful a of times in recent years, including thrice during the 2009 season when the team set a franchise mark for futility with an atrocious 1-15 record.
A crowded sports bar during a football game."Many Kansas City bars and restaurants plan events surrounding Chiefs football games," said Holsman, "How can we ask those small business owners to pay the 3/8 cent sales tax for the renovations of Arrowhead Stadium, when the NFL policy is blocking their revenue?"
Great bill!
ReplyDeleteIn the cases of Missouri sports teams the blackouts are more of a public service than a punishment.
ReplyDeleteTrue enough. But I hope this passes. Paying for games we can't see is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought the idea looked like a stupid PR stunt, but after reading the release above, the idea makes damn good sense. I hope Holsman sticks it to the teams.
ReplyDeleteWhy in the hell doesn't Holsman run for mayor?
ReplyDeleteHolsman should run against Cathy "red light" Jolly.
ReplyDeleteHuh. What happened to you wanting to kick out the rich athletes, and the "KC stays losing", it's a JoCo playground subsidized by KC, theme??
ReplyDeleteI think you can hate the team and still want to see the games which is what I imagine Tony does.
ReplyDeleteHolsman absolutely should run for Mayor but a friend of mine who lobbys in JC said his wife won't let him, or at least that is what Holsman told the lobbyst when asked about it
ReplyDeleteHolsman grow a pair and run!
Oh jeez.
ReplyDeleteI hope this fails. what makes him think I want to see a game that should be blacked out. It's bad enough that the Chiefs are even on TV and Radio. There's a reason the games are blacked out.
IT'S BECAUSE THEY SUCK!!!!
I'm sure this won't get past our court system. It's cruel and usual punishment.
Don't make me watch the Chiefs. Please.