Bill to stop Saints blackouts on TV passes in House

pakowitz · 04-29-2003, 12:08 PM

http://www.thenewsstar.com/html/F2BC...A9D4CFA1.shtml

The Associated Press
Posted on April 29, 2003
BATON ROUGE - Local television blackouts of Saints games would be banned by the state under a bill that sailed through a House committee on Monday.

The NFL has warned the proposal could cost New Orleans its status as frequent host of the Super Bowl if it passes, but no one on the House Appropriations Committee objected to the bill by House Speaker Charlie DeWitt.

The measure would prohibit television contracts from blacking out local pro football games. The law would take effect if four other states pass the same law.

The NFL and television networks impose local TV blackouts if games are not sold out 72 hours before kickoff.

The Saints have not been blacked out in their past 22 home games. Only two other states have considered the law.

DeWitt, D-Lecompte, said he would consider amending the measure, which goes next to the full House for debate, to address the NFL's Super Bowl concerns if needed, but DeWitt said he hasn't gotten any requests for that.

No one spoke in opposition to the bill Monday.

"Being as we fund it with taxpayer money, I just think we shouldn't have a blackout," DeWitt said of the Saints games.

The state made a deal with Saints owner Tom Benson to pay him $186.5 million if he keeps the team in New Orleans for 10 years.

The bill is set up to be applied only to future television contracts or further negotiations of contracts, not to current contracts.

04-29-2003, 12:08 PM	#1
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	Bill to stop Saints blackouts on TV passes in House http://www.thenewsstar.com/html/F2BC...A9D4CFA1.shtml The Associated Press Posted on April 29, 2003 BATON ROUGE - Local television blackouts of Saints games would be banned by the state under a bill that sailed through a House committee on Monday. The NFL has warned the proposal could cost New Orleans its status as frequent host of the Super Bowl if it passes, but no one on the House Appropriations Committee objected to the bill by House Speaker Charlie DeWitt. The measure would prohibit television contracts from blacking out local pro football games. The law would take effect if four other states pass the same law. The NFL and television networks impose local TV blackouts if games are not sold out 72 hours before kickoff. The Saints have not been blacked out in their past 22 home games. Only two other states have considered the law. DeWitt, D-Lecompte, said he would consider amending the measure, which goes next to the full House for debate, to address the NFL's Super Bowl concerns if needed, but DeWitt said he hasn't gotten any requests for that. No one spoke in opposition to the bill Monday. "Being as we fund it with taxpayer money, I just think we shouldn't have a blackout," DeWitt said of the Saints games. The state made a deal with Saints owner Tom Benson to pay him $186.5 million if he keeps the team in New Orleans for 10 years. The bill is set up to be applied only to future television contracts or further negotiations of contracts, not to current contracts.