Higgins Commends NFL Decision to Suspend Blackout Policy in 2015

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) welcomed today's news of the National Football League's (NFL) decision to suspend, for the 2015 season, its policy of blacking out games that are not sold out on local broadcast television stations.

Higgins said, "For many years, I have stood up against the NFL's unfair and outdated blackout policy, which kept fans who have supported their teams -- both emotionally and financially -- in the dark on game days. Over the last three years the momentum has shifted, including recent action by the FCC to repeal its blackout rule. Today we learn that the NFL is removing their blackout policy for the 2015-16 season, a decision that is long overdue. This is the right move for the league and for the game. The fans spoke, the league listened, and this season everyone will be able to tune in to support their favorite team."

For decades the NFL has maintained a policy of blacking out games that have not sold out in the home market. In 1975, the NFL changed its blackout rule from requiring a blackout in a home market even if the game was sold out, to the current 72-hour rule. A 1975 FCC rule requires cable companies to abide by the League's blackout policy and the FCC later extended the rule to satellite companies.

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