Lawmakers discussed cutting funding to professional sports teams that black out games
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Lawmakers discussed cutting funding to professional sports teams that black out games

Date: April 6, 2010
By: Nick Berry
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  After five Rams games were blacked out over the last two seasons, legislators discussed tuesday cutting funding to NFL teams that refuse to air games.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Kansas City Democratic Representative Jason Holsman argued that blacking out games out from television takes away business from restaurants, bars, and local tv stations.

Actuality:  HOLSMAN6.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "If the taxpayer is going to subsidize this private enterprise, then we want a return on our investment that says our bars and restaurants can raise the necessary revenue so that we can pay the taxes."

Holsman says the 3/8ths of a cent sales tax has raised 250 million dollars to renovate Arrowhead Stadium in addition to more than 3 million dollars from city taxes alone.

Despite support from several members on the committee, it is unlikely that the bill will reach the House floor this late in the session.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry

Intro:  One legislator says a bill that cuts funding to professional sports teams that black out broadcasts will discourage an expansion team from moving to Missouri.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Louis Democratic Representative Mike Colona said he was hesistant to support a bill that put limitations on private companies, including professional sports teams.

Kansas City Democratic Representative Jason Holsman argued with Colona that teams recieve enough tax breaks already and it is unfair to the taxpayer who pays for the teams.

Actuality:  COLONA.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "If I want to bring an NBA team into a state that says 'Here's what you've got to do if you're going to come in and play,' I'm going to say 'The heck with that, I'm going to go where everybody else plays nicely because I can.'" "The taxpayers are tired of us playing nicely."

St. Louis was a top contender for the latest expansion franchise in major league soccer.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry.