.JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
February 15,2012
The Honorable Brian Higgins
U.S. House of Representatives
2459 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Higgins:
Thank you for your letter urging the Commission to reexamine the sports blackout rules.
Your views are very important and I will ensure that your letter is included in the record ofthe
relevant proceeding and considered as part of the Commission's review.
The Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking on November 11,20 I I, requesting
elimination of the sports blackout rules. The Sports Fans Coalition, Inc., Public Knowledge,
Media Access Project, National Consumer League, and the League of Fans assert in their petition
that sports economics and the technological means ofdistributing games have rendered these
rules obsolete. The Commission's Media Bureau released a Public Notice on January 12,2012,
requesting comment on the petition. The comment cycle closes February 28, and 1 look forward
to receiving the Bureau's recommendation after it has reviewed the record.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be ofany further
assistance.
Sjncerely,
/'
Julius Genachowski
445 12lH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000