Plan urges NFL to change blackout rule

The push to televise NFL games in local markets when games do not meet the league's current blackout rule is getting more support.

On Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) urged the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate the sports blackout rule, a policy which states games not sold out 72 hours before kickoff cannot be shown on local television.

The blackout rule has impacted the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns since its inception the 1970s.

The Federal Communications Commission has considered putting an end to the NFL's blackout rules, allowing every game to be broadcast locally regardless of ticket sales.

The FCC is crafting a proposal that would require the NFL to show each team's games in its home market, arguing that those who cannot afford tickets should not be punished.

Brown's proposal is the latest push in an effort to overturn the blackout rule.

Last month, a bill was introduced in the Ohio House by Democrat Robert Hagan of Youngstown. It is designed prohibit any team playing in publicly financed stadiums or arenas from blacking out games. A violation would result in the team repaying its public funding.

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