[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22093]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GIVE FANS A CHANCE ACT OF 2001

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, This week, Major League Baseball owners 
voted to eliminate two teams prior to the start of the 2002 season. If 
the owners have their way, two communities that have poured their 
hearts and money into their teams and stadiums will be feeling worse 
than the residents of Mudville after the mighty Casey struck out--at 
least the fans of the Mudville nine were able to look forward to next 
year.
  The Give Fans a Chance Act of 2001 gives communities a voice when 
sports team owners attempt to relocate or eliminate a team. This 
legislation recognizes the fact that professional sports teams are an 
integral part of the fabric that makes up our communities. Fans often 
have more than just an emotional attachment to their teams. Taxpayers 
frequently pay hundreds of millions of dollars to finance stadiums to 
keep teams in place. For example, in Houston, the public financed $180 
million of the $250 million Enron Field. In Seattle, Safeco Field was 
constructed at a cost of over $500 million with $340 million publicly 
financed. Additionally, fans spend millions of dollars on tickets, 
merchandise, and other services surrounding the operation of 
franchises.
  There probably has never been a better example of the link between 
the spirit of a community and its sports teams than New York. The 
Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Islanders, Rangers, and Knicks have all 
helped bring the community together and deal with the tragedy that 
struck the city on September 11, 2001. The memorable World Series just 
completed between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees has 
in fact helped the nation heal in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
  The Give Fans a Chance Act accomplishes three important objectives. 
The bill: (1) eliminates league rules that disallow public ownership of 
sports team franchises; (2) gives communities a voice in team 
relocation decisions; and (3) ties broadcast antitrust exemptions to 
the bill's requirements.
  This legislation makes professional sports leagues and their team 
owners appropriately consider the communities of which they are a part. 
Taxpayers and fans contribute soul and money to the teams of their 
communities and they deserve a voice when the threat of team relocation 
or elimination steps into the batter's box.

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