OFFICERS 
:\larcia L. Fudg~ 
Chair 
G.K. Butt~rtidd 
First \ 'icc Cha ir 
\\~tt~ D. Clark~ 
Second Vice Chai r 
Andre Carson 
Secreta ry 
Kar~n Bass 
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AMERICA ' S 
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS 
July31 , 2014 
The Honorable Thomas E. Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12'11 Street, SW 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
************* 
ESTABLISHED 1971 
Received & Inspected 
AUJ ·1 d l:U14 
FCC Mail Room 
We write to respectfully request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) halt its current 
rulemaking proposal to repeal the Sports Blackout Rule. The elimination of this rule may unnecessarily 
upend the broadcast television model and limit the availability of valuable programming to all Americans. 
Many constituents in our communities depend on free, over-the-air television for news, entertainment and 
sports, including NFL games. According to a 2013 survey, 60 million Americans - 41% of whom are 
minorities - rely exclusively on over-the-air (OTA) television. An estimated 22% of African American, 
23% of Asian, and 25% of Latino households are OTA reliant. Many of these households include lower­
income adults and seniors, who cannot afford the rising cost of pay-TV services. 
We are concerned with the FCC's proposal to eliminate the sports blackout rule and undermine the ability 
of sports programming, particularly NFL games, to remain widely available on free television. Without 
this rule in place, cable and satellite television providers would potentially be able to undennine 
contractual agreements between professional sports leagues and broadcast networks that both support 
attendance at games and improve the viewing experience for fans in the stadium, as well as those 
watching at home. 
We believe the current system works well, especially for fans that rely on broadcast television. During 
the 2013 season, 99% ofNFL games were sold out and broadcast on free, local TV. Moreover, the NFL 
is the only sports league that makes available all of its games, both regular season and playoffs, on free 
television. Moreover, these live events are not only the most watched programming on television, but 
also support jobs, businesses and taxes for local communities. 
The FCC first adopted its rule nearly 40 years ago to support broadcast television and keep professional 
sports programming available to all An1ericans. We continue to fully support this goal and are concerned 
about changes to broadcast rules that may negatively affect our constituents and potentially reduce the 
availability or quality of television programming they can access . Therefore, we respectfully ask that you 
suspend the rulemaking proposal to repeal the Sports Blackout Rule. 
Sincerely, 
Member of Co 
~~~~> 
em r o Congress 
2344 Rayburn House Office Building· Washington , DC 20515 
884
Member of Congress 
Member of Congress 
Member of Congress Member of Congress 
Member of Congress Member of Congress 
2344 Ravburn House Office Buildino . Washinoton. DC 20515