Orrin Hatch: “I like almost all Americans, am a fan of professional sports. We all enjoy following the competition on the field and on…”

“I like almost all Americans, am a fan of professional sports. We all enjoy following the competition on the field and on the hardwood and watching the performances of our favorite players. Even as I make this statement today, my fingers are crossed for the Utah Jazz in this evening's playoff game. But professional sports is not just a game, it is a business, and it is the future of professional sports as a business that my bill, the Professional Sports Protection Act, seeks to address. I am afraid that the current rash of franchise relocations is only the symptom of larger economic trends in professional sports. If these trends are allowed to continue, we will see the same fan disaffection that has occurred in Major League baseball, with the result that professional sports--one of our growing national industries--will suffer. My bill will protect professional sports by permitting the leagues-- the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League--to review and, if necessary block, franchise relocation decisions.”