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Ohio Athletic Commission seeks modest budget increases, discusses taxing pay‑per‑view and live events
Summary
The Ohio Athletic Commission described proposed operating increases and discussed revenue options including raising event tax rates and taxing pay‑per‑view sales.
Chuck Haskell, executive director of the Ohio Athletic Commission, presented the commission’s budget outlook and said the panel expects increased revenue if Ohio attracts more live and televised combat-sport events.
Haskell told the House Agriculture Committee that the commission’s proposed increases are approximately $367,022 for fiscal year 2026 and $371,995 for fiscal year 2027. He said the commission is non‑GRF funded and relies on fees and a tax on events; the state’s current tax on ticket sales for regulated events has not been raised since 1981 and is currently at about 5 percent, Haskell said. He described proposals under discussion to raise the tax to 6 percent and to apply a similar tax to pay‑per‑view streams, which other states levy on pay‑per‑view receipts.
Haskell said COVID‑19 caused a steep decline in live events and revenue, and that the commission is pursuing more local, regional and national events to rebuild revenue. He also said the commission uses shared central services for administration and that more events would increase both service fees and tax receipts.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the historical revenue dip during the pandemic and about possible changes to the event tax. Haskell said some of the largest revenue gains in other states have come from taxing pay‑per‑view and streaming of events in addition to ticket sales.
The commission did not present a formal motion or vote; the testimony was part of the committee’s invited budget presentations.
