U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on June 24 offered bipartisan legislation that would provide emergency assistance to Minor League Baseball (MiLB) clubs impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Blackburn is the lead original cosponsor of the Minor League Baseball Relief Act, S. 2233, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which would establish a grant program for shuttered MiLB clubs, according to the congressional record bill summary.
U.S. Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and David McKinley (R-WV) on the same day introduced the companion bill, H.R. 4150, in their chamber.
“Tennessee is home to numerous Minor League teams that have been adversely impacted due to COVID,” said Sen. Blackburn. “For over 18 months, these teams have had to shut their doors to families who would have loved a night out at the ballpark. The Saving Minor League Baseball Act will ensure our local teams can keep their doors open and Volunteer State spirit alive.”
Randy Boyd, owner of Boyd Sports, and Jason Freier, owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts, endorsed the bill.
“The Lookouts went nearly 620 days without being able to play a baseball game, causing us to lose more than 90% of our revenue,” Freier said. “This has created a hole we will be digging out of for years to come. The relief effort Senator Blackburn is championing would allow us to stabilize our business, rebuild our staff and continue to serve our fans and community as the team has since 1885.”