Madsen, Fleming want Steelers fans to have a say on televised games in Central PA

"It's time to put up a Steel Curtain along the Mason-Dixon Line and make sure Steelers fans get Immaculate Reception."

Rep. Justin Fleming    August 28, 2024 | 10:53 AM

HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – As the National Football League’s regular season kickoff approaches state Reps. Dave Madsen and Justin Fleming, both D-Dauphin, want to make sure fans in the Harrisburg region aren’t denied Pittsburgh Steelers football any longer.

Currently, the Federal Communications Commission allows NFL teams to claim television broadcast markets based solely on geography – meaning the owner of the Baltimore Ravens claims Harrisburg as Ravens territory, even though fan support in the area is overwhelmingly behind the Steelers. 

A PA House resolution introduced by Madsen and co-sponsored by Fleming would urge the FCC to work with the NFL to take fan input into account when designating secondary markets.

“It’s time to put up a Steel Curtain along the Mason-Dixon Line and make sure Steelers fans get Immaculate Reception,” Madsen said. “It’s been a decade since the NFL got rid of the old blackout rules, but the secondary market rule is still denying Harrisburg-area fans the games they really want. The NFL and FCC need to listen to the consumers – give the people what they want, help our local TV stations, and pack our bars & restaurants with fans cheering on the most popular team.”

“It’s not just about the Steelers, in northeastern Pennsylvania there are Philadelphia Eagles fans forced to endure New York games,” Fleming said. “In 2024 with the incredible slate of entertainment options we all enjoy it’s hard to believe we’re still using this obsolete system and denying the people what they want – and in Harrisburg they want their Sundays to be Black & Gold.”

“To accommodate our many fans in the central part of Pennsylvania, mainly Harrisburg and surrounding markets, it would be beneficial to show our games to Steelers Nation in that area,” said Burt Lauten, Pittsburgh Steelers communications director.

The resolution has been referred to the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee for consideration.