OH SB171

Professional sports franchises (NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, NBA) receiving state or county funds for sports facilities must win at least half their games in 3 of the last 5 regular seasons to qualify for funding; new franchises under 5 years must demonstrate competitive performance for at least 2 seasons

Franchises receiving public funding must ensure all regular season and playoff games are viewable for free via broadcast TV, basic cable, or a free online platform, and cannot enter exclusive streaming deals without providing a free viewing option

County-funded franchises must allocate at least 5% of home game tickets at discounted rates (no more than 50% of average ticket price) to Ohio residents, with priority for low-income residents, students, and veterans

Franchises must submit annual public compliance reports detailing fund usage, media access measures, and community engagement activities; violations of viewing access or ticket requirements carry penalties up to $250,000 per violation and 5-year funding ineligibility after two fines

Franchises leaving the state before their lease expires must reimburse all state and county funds received, with disputes resolved through binding arbitration; knowingly misrepresenting performance records carries fines up to $500,000 and 5-year funding ban