DeMora Announces Introduction of Bill to Ban Failing Billionaire Sports Owners from Receiving Public Money

Today, state Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) announced that he would soon introduce the “Public Access to Professional Sports Act,” legislation that would ban public money from going to professional sports franchises unless the teams have a winning record in three of the last five seasons. The legislation would also require that if a franchise were to leave the city where they play, they would have to repay the taxpayers for all funds they received.

“For too long, Ohioans have been held hostage by these professional sports teams and their billionaire owners,” said DeMora. “I am tired of hearing year after year that if the government doesn’t fork over taxpayer money, then the team is going to move out of state! This legislation would stop that cycle. If a team wants to get taxpayer money, then the least they can do is have a winning season, and if they decide that they want to move, then the people of Ohio deserve their money back.”

The Public Access to Professional Sports Act would require that a team has achieved at least a .500 record in three of the previous five seasons to be eligible for any public funding.  New teams are exempt from this requirement for their first five years but must demonstrate competitive performance before seeking additional financing. It also mandates public reporting on team performance and financial requests, ensuring transparency. The act also requires that if any professional sports team would like to move out of a city, they must repay all public funding they have ever received in a mutually agreed upon payment plan between the city and the team’s ownership.