Senators Trying to Change Rules

(This Article is less Cardinals related, but more Sports World)

Have you ever been on vacation your favorite team is in town? You've already forked out money and don't want to go to the game, so instead you watch it on the television. Unfortunately, the game is blacked out because the stadium failed to sell out so you're stuck reading the scores on ESPN.

Luckily as Cardinal fans we don't have to worry about that since we have sold out every single game in University of Phoenix Stadium. However, that's not the case for fans in parts of the country where it their teams lose game in and game out.

Jacksonville for example. Back in 2009, I was in town visiting a family member when the Cardinals came to town. I knew the game was going to be a blowout and wanted to watch it... Sadly it was blacked out, because as we all know, Jacksonville stadium has trouble selling out.

The two senators are Arizona's very own John McCain and Connecticut Richard Blumenthal. 18 months ago they filed this petition and it's just now making its way into the media spotlight. If you're interested, here's a link to a letter that McCain and Blumenthal sent to the chair of the FCC.

The NFL and the other sports leagues say the rule is in place so that the teams can sell out their stadiums and increase their revenue. What they don't mention is that it's also a way for the sports leagues to increase their revenue by forcing fans in common blackout location to purchase NFL Sunday Ticket.

The NFL's version of the rule is slightly different then that of most other sports. The rule says that you must sell out 85% of your stadium, but the NFL leaves it up to the team to blackout the game locally once they reach that 85%.

The rule is also unfair to people who cannot afford trips to the game, or are physically unable to make such a trip.

As both senators said, they can independently amend the rule without the FCC's consent in Congress.

The results have been mixed. Some fans want the rule to remain, others want it amended, and others want the rule totally removed from the book.

So I ask you, even if the rule does not effect you, do you agree with it? Or should the rule be removed from play?