U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald has been in a dispute with the NFL. Fitzgerald believes that the NFL is bending the rules of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
Fitzgerald, represents Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional district, which covers part of Milwaukee and extends through Lake Mills. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (SBA), gives professional sports leagues a limited anti-trust exemption, allowing teams to collectively sell broadcasting rights. This structure has helped establish the NFL’s shared media revenue model, which especially helps the Packers.
Fitzgerald says the modern NFL no longer looks like the league Congress was trying to protect in 1961. The NFL has been placing more and more games behind streaming paywalls, which Fitzgeraldn and his colleagues view as taking advantage of the law. Fitzgerald also responded to the Packers warnings that these changes could threaten the team’s “future” in Green Bay. (RELATED: Wisconsin DOR Seizes Minocqua Brewing Beer Amid Tax Investigation)
He called the threats from the Packers “absolutely ridiculous and almost laughable.” “When it comes to the NFL, the Packers are going to be fine,” Fitzgerald said.
The team officials for the Packers have voiced concerns about the revisiting of a bill the Packers believe to be a sound law, that still is contributing money to the organization. Packers leaders reportedly told Fitzgerald that any altering to the law could pose an “existential threat” to the franchise’s ability to remain in Green Bay.
Earlier this month, the House Judiciary Committee released a report that found some fans now pay more than $600 per person to watch all of their favorite team’s games. Fitzgerald said NFL and other leagues have “stretched the bounds” of their exemption by signing exclusive streaming deals with companies such as Amazon, Netflix, Peacock, and ESPN. Fitzgerald also said fans are paying the price through higher costs and a confusing maze of subscriptions, similar to the report findings. (RELATED:Bangstad Misses Wisconsin Governor Ballot After WEC Rejects Signatures)
