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Sen. DeMora introduces bill to ban exclusive streaming of public university athletics
Summary
Senator DeMora presented Senate Bill 94 to prohibit exclusive streaming contracts at public universities and require enrolled students free access to broadcasts, arguing exclusivity harms students, rural residents and small businesses; the committee held the first hearing and took no vote.
Senator DeMora introduced Senate Bill 94, a measure to prohibit public universities from entering exclusive contracts with streaming services for intercollegiate athletic competitions and to require universities to provide enrolled students free access to broadcasts.
Senator DeMora said the bill — described as a reintroduction of prior legislation — responds to recent exclusive deals such as the Big Ten agreement with NBC's Peacock. He told the committee that exclusive streaming “prioritizes profit over access,” leaving fans unable to watch games without paid subscriptions, forcing local bars to buy costly commercial streaming packages, and shutting out rural residents who lack reliable high‑speed internet. He cited a local example in Columbus where a bar “had to spend $3,600 to show one game.”
DeMora argued the bill would protect students and small businesses and pointed to NFL precedents for allowing local broadcast alongside streaming. The committee concluded the first hearing; no vote was taken and no formal amendments were discussed at today's session.
