Washington (TNND) – Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, roasted representatives of the main American sports leagues on Tuesday on their streaming practices, who, according to him, continue to frustrate sports fans.
His questions occurred during a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transport Commission. The audience was centered on “the political questions raised by the changing ways of Americans who watch professional sports live on television” by emphasizing the increased prevalence of streaming platforms to broadcast sports.
The director of the MLB, Kenny Gersh, testified during the hearing of the MLB, the director of the NBA, William Koenig, and the executive of the NHL David Prore. The NFL refused an invitation to speak during the hearing, although Commissioner Rodger Goodell met President Donald Trump earlier this week.
“Catrimer Your favorite team on television should not want to resolve a puzzle,” said the senator at the hearing. “Games that were free or easy to find are now dispersed on expensive applications and exclusive offers.”
“Since sports can receive special treatment under the law – whether anti -trust protection, non -profit status or financing for taxpayers of stages – that fans deserve?” He asked. “Fans are right to ask if these teams have a civic responsibility towards their communities which includes the strengthening of accessible games.”
Senator Cruz, at the hearing, also noted that he was assessed if the sports broadcasting law, which allows leagues to negotiate the coverage of all the teams without violating antitrust laws, could soon apply to university sports.
“This is a particularly important question for the Committee, which has jurisdiction on telecommunications and broadcasting,” he said. “If the leagues can show how the SBA continues to benefit fans today, it may be useful to explore the opportunity to give a similar exemption to university sports whose broadcasting rights have no antitrust protection.”
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