WRA Members Meet with Senator Tammy Baldwin Regarding "For the Fans" Act

WRA members met with Senator Tammy Baldwin this past Monday to discuss her For the Fans Act and other issues the restaurant industry faces. The meeting was hosted by WRA director Johnny Kavanaugh, LJ's Sports Tavern & Grill. WRA Chair Jeff Kaminski, Chula Vista Resort, President & CEO Kristine Hillmer and members Rita Adair, Bernell's and Eric Christenson Christy's Landing also participated.

​This past Monday, WRA members meet with Senator Tammy Baldwin to discuss her new bill - For the Fans Act - which the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has endorsed. The group discussed the increasing high cost of broadcasting sports games in restaurants and bars, along with other head winds the industry faces. The cost of subscribing to the new NFL Sunday Ticket package alone can cost $13,000 per year, up to $300/TV to purchase the streaming equipment.

The For the Fans Act is designed to simplify access to home state team's televised games. For the hospitality industry, this could mean significantly lower overhead and fewer technical headaches when trying to air local games. 

Key Impacts for Your Venue:

• No More Blackouts: The bill prohibits league-owned services (like MLB.TV or NBA League Pass) from blacking out local games. If you pay for the service, you’ll actually be able to show the home team.
• Free Local Access: Leagues would be required to provide a single, free viewing option for all in-state professional games. This could be via local over-the-air TV or a free, ad-supported streaming service.
• Reduced Complexity: By ending exclusive paywalls (like games only available on Amazon Prime or Netflix), the bill aims to consolidate where you find the game, potentially saving businesses thousands in annual subscription fees.
• Coverage: The act applies to the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS.

The Bottom Line: If passed, this legislation would eliminate the need for a dozen different logins and "exclusive" subscriptions, allowing you to broadcast local sports through a more affordable and streamlined system.