The bill, which would likely face legal challenges, could potentially prevent situations similar to the Chargers’ 2017 departure to Los Angeles.
SAN DIEGO — Newly proposed federal legislation would require pro sports team owners hoping to relocate to first give their community an opportunity to purchase the team before moving. The measure potentially could prevent situations similar to the Chargers’ 2017 departure to Los Angeles.
The “Home Team Act,” introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, would mandate that team ownership provide one year’s notice before relocating and allow communities—through a company, nonprofit, or public partnership—to purchase the team at fair market value.
“It’s not just the jobs that are lost, it’s the fact that emotionally, and for the kids, people suffer a deep, deep loss,” Sanders said.
San Diego sports fans continue to feel the emotional impact of losing the Chargers to Los Angeles.
“Just going to a rival city- I can’t cheer for an LA team, so it was definitely heartbreaking,” said James Mission.
Other fans express concern about the Padres potentially relocating.
“I feel like we would lose some of the vibe downtown, and I’m sure a lot of businesses would suffer too,” Savannah Brooks, a San Diego resident, said.
Sanders characterized team relocations as unacceptable.
“The idea that people can simply make that decision to move a team to another city to make more money, that they can blackmail one community against another for more tax breaks, or more public subsidies, is not acceptable,” Sanders said.
Legal experts question whether the legislation would withstand constitutional challenges.
“But even if it were enacted, there would immediately be a challenge to this on a number of grounds: not the least of which is, it’s government interference with private property,” said legal analyst Dan Eaton.
“At the heart of this legislation is one simple question: Whose team is it anyway?” said Eaton.
The proposed bill underscores the critical importance of sports teams to communities despite legal obstacles.
“Financially, emotionally, culturally… and when a sports team leaves, it leaves a hole in a community’s heart,” Eaton said.
The legislation requires passage by both the House and Senate. Under the bill, sports teams would not face relocation restrictions if a local buyer could not meet a “fair and reasonable” price.
