WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – A new bill would make it more difficult for professional sports team owners to relocate their franchises by giving communities the right of first refusal.
The Home Team Act, introduced by Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, would require team owners looking to move to first offer the franchise to local buyers. The legislation aims to allow municipalities and organizations in the team’s home city to purchase and keep the franchise at market value.
“No more unceremoniously uprooting our teams that people have rooted for for generations,” Casar said.
The bill comes in response to high-profile team relocations like the Dodgers, Raiders and SuperSonics, which moved from their original cities – often across the country.
Sanders and Casar said the loss of a team means more than an economic hit. It results in job losses, empty stadiums and damage to community makeup and culture.
“Sports is what America is largely about,” Sanders said.
Sanders experienced the impact firsthand when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles during his childhood.
“People had come together around the team, and it was ruptured,” Sanders said.
The lawmakers said even the threat of moving can create chaos in cities, pitting taxpayers against each other in bids to host the team.
“Billionaire owners will be just fine under our bill, but fans and taxpayers will finally get a fair deal,” Casar said.
The legislation would also allow municipalities to use an ownership stake to put money back into their communities. Casar and Sanders’ announcement came during opening week for the Major League Baseball season.
New bill aims to keep professional sports teams in their home city
