Move to Indiana in Jeopardy? New Federal Bill Could Halt Bears' Relocation

Two Democratic congressmen are introducing a bill that would essentially federalize Ohio’s Modell Law. This law would impose a series of conditions before a pro team could move out of its existing metropolitan area. The Home Team Act, proposed by Rep. Greg Casar (D., Texas) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), would require pro team owners to give local communities a chance to buy the teams before relocating.

Among the specific provisions in the bill are: mandating that team owners give a minimum one-year notice before moving to a new community, defined as crossing state lines or moving to a new metropolitan statistical area; and giving local communities an opportunity to buy the team at a "fair price", including through models such as the publicly owned Packers.

The bill enforces penalties on non-compliant franchise owners, including fines of $30,000 per day. The Home Team Act could stand in the way of a potential move by the Bears to Indiana if passed. The NFL team is actively considering a shift to Hammond, Indiana, and legislators there have already approved a funding mechanism to help build a domed stadium.

Representative Casar commented that, along with Senator Sanders, they lament the loss of sports teams due to relocations: "We’re looking to level the playing field for fans against team owners, and also for communities". Casar believes this Democratic initiative will become a bipartisan effort, as there is "significant interest" from the Illinois delegation due to the Bears’ situation.

The Home Team Act is influenced in part by Ohio’s Modell Law, which requires a team using a tax-supported facility in the state to provide at least six months’ notice before leaving, as well as a franchise purchase opportunity for local entities. The Modell Law came up last year in legal battles involving the Browns’ planned relocation from downtown Cleveland to suburban Brook Park, Ohio. The most recent Ohio budget, however, changed elements of the Modell Law to apply limitations on pro teams only if they intend to leave the state entirely, and it became moot regarding the Browns.

This measure provides a key window into what could be emerging across the country. Casar recalled his experience as an Austin city councilman when the relocation of the Columbus Crew was considered: "The Modell Law helped keep that soccer franchise there, we got an expansion club, and it was truly a win-win. So as the Modell Law was helpful there, we now need a solution like that nationwide".

The introduction of the Home Team Act arrived amid deep political division on Capitol Hill and demands from other pressing issues. In particular, Democrats and Republicans are debating funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which in turn has helped create historically long security lines at many U.S. airports.

Casar stated: "We have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. I’ve been very vocal about funding TSA, very vocal about reforming ICE, and very vocal about avoiding endless wars. We also want to keep the spotlight on protecting sports fans, and we’re going to do all of that".

Senator Sanders stated: "The American people are sick and tired of billionaires threatening to move the sports teams they own to different states unless they get hundreds of millions in corporate welfare to build new stadiums". The law seeks to curb this practice, giving priority to communities and fans in the process of team relocation.

The initiative reflects a growing concern about the power of team owners and their ability to negotiate favorable financial agreements at the expense of local communities and fans.