Sen. Baldwin Introduces Bill to Stop Sports Blackouts

Proposal aims to make it cheaper and easier for fans to watch local teams

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:58pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football game, with sharp planes of green, gold, navy, and orange overlapping to create a dynamic, multi-perspective scene without any recognizable players or logos.A cubist interpretation of the heated rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, reflecting the complex web of streaming services and blackout restrictions that fans must navigate to watch their local teams.Green Bay Today

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced a new bill to address the growing problem of sports blackouts, which make it difficult and expensive for fans to watch their local professional teams. The bill, called the For the Fans Act, would prohibit league-owned streaming services from blacking out local games and require leagues to provide an affordable way for fans to watch all games for teams in their state.

Why it matters

Sports blackouts have become an increasingly frustrating issue for fans, who often have to navigate a complex web of streaming subscriptions and blackout restrictions to watch their favorite teams. This bill aims to make it simpler and more affordable for fans to access local sports coverage.

The details

The For the Fans Act includes two key provisions: 1) Prohibiting league-owned streaming services like MLB.TV or NBA League Pass from blacking out games that are available on local TV or other third-party streamers, and 2) Requiring leagues to offer an affordable way for fans to watch all games for teams based in the state where they live.

  • On January 8, 2026, the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears playoff game was only available on local TV in the Milwaukee and Green Bay markets, leaving fans in five other Wisconsin markets unable to watch without a subscription to Amazon.
  • Sen. Baldwin introduced the bill on April 15, 2026.

The players

Sen. Tammy Baldwin

A U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who introduced the For the Fans Act to address the issue of sports blackouts.

Green Bay Packers

A professional football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Chicago Bears

A professional football team based in Chicago, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't just a Packers or a Wisconsin issue. This has become an American issue. What used to be grabbing the remote and hitting a button or two has turned into a maze of streaming subscriptions, unexpected blackouts or a sky high payment. To top it all off, there is no consistency, and it is flat out confusing for fans.”

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The bill has been introduced without any co-sponsors, with the goal of starting conversations in Congress about the issues it aims to address.

The takeaway

This bill represents an effort to make it more accessible and affordable for fans to watch their local sports teams, addressing a growing problem that has become increasingly frustrating for many sports enthusiasts across the country.