FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Brian Higgins U.S. House ofRepresentatives 2459 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Higgins: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC ' s sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category . The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission's help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today' s Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staffhas carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games ' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. Sincerely, ~ Tom Wlieeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Richard Blumenthal United States Senate 702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Blumenthal: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC' s sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category. The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission' s help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today' s Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staff has carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. Sincerely, FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHA I RMAN The Honorable Cory Booker United States Senate 141 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Booker: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC's sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category. The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission's help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today's Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staffhas carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Sherrod Brown United States Senate 713 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Brown: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC' s sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category. The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission's help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today' s Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staff has carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. Sfficerely,~~t~ :btieler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Tom Harkin United States Senate 731 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Harkin: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC' s sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category. The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission' s help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today's Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staffhas carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games ' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. ~IŁ? Tom Wheeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable John McCain United States Senate 241 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator McCain: September 30, 2014 Thank you for your letter applauding the decision to take up a Commission vote to eliminate the FCC ' s sports blackout rule. I appreciate your long-standing interest in the issue. I have made it a priority since becoming Chairman to review and reform FCC rules and processes, including eliminating or modifying those that no longer make sense. The sports blackout rule falls into this category. The rule was established nearly 40 years ago when there was a concern about selling tickets because gate receipts were the principal source of revenue for the National Football League (NFL). That is no longer the case, and I do not believe the NFL needs the Commission ' s help to remain viable. Consequently, the Commission unanimously voted to eliminate the rule at today' s Open Meeting. To be clear, the Commission has heard from many consumers on both sides of the issue, and the NFL has actively participated in the process. Commission staff has carefully considered the impact on consumers, including whether elimination of the rule would result in the games ' being moved from free, over-the-air broadcasts to subscription-based services. As you note, even though the Commission eliminated the rule, it does not mean that sports blackout policies will cease to exist. The sports leagues can continue to enforce their blackout policies through private contractual agreements, if they choose to do so. Thanks again for your support and continued interest in this issue. smcerelj/j r~~eler