Relating to broadcast coverage agreements for postseason activity of students representing a University Interscholastic League member school.
Impact
If enacted, SB2511 would significantly influence the landscape of high school sports broadcasting in Texas by prioritizing local broadcasters in postseason event coverage. The bill stipulates that any agreements made between UIL and broadcasters must adhere to specific conditions, including compensations to UIL and standards for announcers. This could lead to broader access to local sports events for families and communities, fostering engagement and support for student athletes.
Summary
Senate Bill 2511 aims to establish guidelines for broadcast coverage agreements for postseason activities involving students from schools that are members of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). This bill is designed to enhance the rights of local broadcasters by allowing them to provide coverage of postseason sporting events as long as they have previously covered a majority of the regular season activities of those students. The intent is to support local media while ensuring that schools retain the right to designate coverage terms for those events.
Contention
Points of contention surrounding SB2511 may arise from concerns regarding the potential for conflicts with existing exclusive broadcasting agreements that UIL has with private entities. Critics may argue that the bill could complicate or undermine existing agreements, particularly those that involve significant investment in production quality and coverage rights by larger broadcasting companies. Proponents of the bill, however, would likely argue that it enhances local representation and student visibility through community-oriented media outlets.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Education Code
Chapter 33. Service Programs And Extracurricular Activities
Identical
Relating to broadcast coverage agreements for postseason activity of students representing a University Interscholastic League member school.
Relating to determining the student enrollment of a public school that allows non-enrolled students to participate in University Interscholastic League activities for purposes of assigning a University Interscholastic League classification.
Relating to creating an allotment under the Foundation School Program for school districts that allow non-enrolled students to participate in University Interscholastic League activities.
Relating to the compensation and professional representation of certain students participating in University Interscholastic League activities or in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education.
Relating to the compensation and professional representation of certain students participating in University Interscholastic League activities or in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education.
Permitting certain local broadcasters to provide broadcast services of a school's postseason activities notwithstanding if the state high school activities association enters into an exclusive broadcast agreement for postseason activities.
Senate Substitute for HB 2138 by Committee on Education - Requiring school districts to provide separate accommodations for students of each biological sex on overnight school district sponsored trips, requiring contracts for exclusive broadcasts of state high school activities association activities to permit certain local broadcasts and providing for administrative review of resolutions to permanently close a school building of a school district.