A bill from an independent · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Home Team Act of 2026" aims to prevent professional sports franchises from leaving their home communities. It prohibits leagues from banning ownership by government entities or the general public. If an owner wants to move a franchise or eliminate it, they must first offer a fair opportunity to purchase the team to specific local entities. These priority groups include local governments, community cooperatives, nonprofits, or local private entities. To determine a fair price, the Secretary of the Treasury will use specialized appraisers. This bill seeks to mitigate the economic and cultural damage caused by franchise relocation.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +2
Is this likely to grow the economy?
By preventing franchise relocation, the bill helps maintain the local economic impact of professional sports teams.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill allows local private entities and consortia to participate in franchise ownership.
- Scored +2
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill provides local governments and community entities with the opportunity to retain sports franchises within their metropolitan areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prevents Unwanted Relocations: The bill aims to stop owners from abandoning their home communities and fan bases (Section 2).
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Protects Local Ownership Opportunities: It prohibits leagues from banning government entities or members of the general public from owning a franchise (Section 3(a)).
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Provides Community Purchase Options: It creates a priority list for those who can attempt to buy a team to keep it local, including local governments, community cooperatives, and local nonprofits (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Ensures Fair Pricing: The use of professionally trained appraisers from the Secretary of the Treasury helps ensure that the purchase price for a franchise is fair (Section 3(c)).
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Adjusts Value Based on Public Support: The appraisal process deducts any government payments, credits, or subsidies used for stadium construction, which accounts for taxpayer contributions (Section 3(c)(2)).
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Allows for Legal Recourse: Local governments or States have the right to bring civil actions for injunctive and monetary relief if the law is violated (Section 3(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Penalties for Owners: Franchise owners who violate these rules face a civil penalty of $30,000 for each day they are in violation (Section 3(d)(1)).
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Mandatory Sale Requirements: Owners may be forced to accept an offer from a local entity if that offer meets the fair price determined by the government's appraisers (Section 3(b)(3)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By preventing franchise relocation, the bill helps maintain the local economic impact of professional sports teams. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill allows local private entities and consortia to participate in franchise ownership. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill explicitly states that it does not interfere with the rights of employees to collectively bargain.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides local governments and community entities with the opportunity to retain sports franchises within their metropolitan areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill seeks to prevent the displacement of residents often caused by new stadium construction. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect the community assets and cultural impacts that middle-income residents often rely on.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires proper notice of franchise relocation or elimination to the public and news media. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill grants states and local governments the right to bring civil actions to enforce these ownership and purchase provisions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill notes that new stadium construction can displace local residents, a concern this legislation indirectly addresses by regulating franchise movement.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut