FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
January 5, 2012
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Sherrod Brown
United States Senate
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Brown:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reexamine the sports blackout rules.
Your views are very important and, ifthe Commission opens a proceeding on this matter, I will
ensure that your letter is included in the record ofthe proceeding and considered as part ofthe
Commission's review.
As you are aware, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking on November II,
2011, requesting elimination ofthe sports blackout rules. The Sports Fans Coalition, Inc., Public
Knowledge, Media Access Project, National Consumer League, and the League of Fans assert in
their petition that sports economics and the technological means ofdistributing games have
rendered these rules obsolete. The Commission's Media Bureau is reviewing the petition and I
look forward to receiving its recommendation.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if! can be ofany further
assistance.
445 12lH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000