WASHINGTON, D.C. – New legislation led by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to stop professional sports leagues from blacking out games for fans and end the complicated and costly web of streaming services has earned the strong support of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and Tavern League of Wisconsin. This comes in addition to recent polling showing that overwhelming majorities of Americans support Senator Tammy Baldwin’s For the Fans Act. 

“Watching Packers, Brewers and Bucks games with friends and family is as Wisconsin as beer, cheese, and Old Fashioneds. Tavern League members take great pride in bringing the community together to support our home teams. Wisconsin residents and businesses shouldn’t be subject to arbitrary black out rules or forced to watch our conference and division rivals because of where we live. We thank Senator Baldwin for introducing the “For the Fans Act” and we wholeheartedly support this legislation,” said Keith Kern, Tavern League of Wisconsin President.  

“Our neighborhood restaurants and sports bars are the cornerstones of Wisconsin communities, serving as the primary gathering places for fans to cheer on our home teams. For too long, however, small business owners have been forced to navigate an increasingly expensive and fragmented maze of subscriptions and frustrating blackouts just to air a local game,” said Kristine Hillmer, Wisconsin Restaurant Association President and CEO. “Senator Baldwin’s ‘For the Fans Act’ is a common-sense solution that provides much-needed relief to the hospitality industry. By eliminating technical barriers and reducing the need for costly, overlapping streaming services, this bill allows our members to lower their overhead and focus on what they do best: providing a great atmosphere for their guests. We are proud to support this effort to keep local sports accessible and affordable for Wisconsin’s businesses and fans alike.” 

“Wisconsinites across the state are fed up with paying an arm and a leg to watch our home teams – and that includes our restaurants and bars that are neighborhood staples who are already being squeezed by high costs,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am so honored to earn their support for this bill to cut costs, put the fans first, and make sure everyone in Wisconsin can cheer on our Brewers, Bucks, and Packers.”   

The For the Fans Act improves access for consumers of professional sports broadcasts by requiring free viewing access for local fans and ending blackouts on league-owned streaming services, like NBA League Pass or MLB.tv. The bill applies to professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer leagues. The bill makes an exception for minor league teams and leagues with fewer than eight teams. 

Baldwin’s press release announcing the legislation is available here. 

A one-pager on the bill is available here. 

An online version of this release is available here.