Sports Fan Coalition Pitches Two-Year Sunset of Sports Blackout Rule

In the wake of the NFL's changes to its own blackout rule, and some teams' decision not to take advantage of the relaxed restrictions, the Sports Fans Coalition has renewed its call for ending the Federal Communications Commission's blackout rule.

The FCC rule essentially puts the FCC's force behind a contractual obligation. It prohibits cable and satellite companies from carrying sports contests -- NFL games in particular -- that have been blacked out on broadcast TV due to contractual obligations. In a letter to the FCC from Brian Frederick, Sports Fan Coalition executive director, the coalition asked the FCC to let the rule expire in two years unless its supporters can provide evidence it is needed.