Buffalo, N.Y. - The Federal Communications Commission is looking for the public to comment on the NFL's blackout rules.
WEB EXTRA: Send the FCC your thoughts on the NFL blackout rule
Right now, a game must sell out 72 hours in advance in order for it to be televised locally.
This past season, three of the Bills' seven home games were blacked out.
The move by the FCC came in response to a petition filed by groups who object to the rule.
The blackout rule is actually an agreement between the NFL and the television networks the pay the league billions to carry games every season.
An FCC rule dating back to 1976, requires all other broadcasters, including cable and satellite companies, to abide by the blackout agreement.
But now, the FCC is taking a second look at that rule.
Scott Brown: "How important or momentous could this be for instance for fans here in Buffalo?"
Brian Frederick, Sports Fan Coalition: "Well it's extremely important, and it's even more important that fans speak out now because what the FCC is looking for is to hear from fans in these affected areas. So it's going to be up to the fan bases in Buffalo and Tampa and Cincinnati where there have been pervasive blackouts to say 'enough is enough, where we shouldn't have to pay for the stadium with our tax dollars and then be blacked out at home as well.'"
AP/ WGRZ
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