OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
S.B. 221 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for S.B. 221’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsor: Sen. DeMora
Effective date:
Mariah M. Maldovan, Attorney
SUMMARY
 Prohibits state universities from entering into or renewing contracts under which the
media rights to broadcast a university athletic event are granted exclusively to a
streaming service.
 Requires state universities to provide enrolled students access to observe broadcasted
university athletic events free of cost.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Prohibition on exclusive broadcasting rights
To the extent permitted by federal law, the bill prohibits state universities from entering
into or renewing a contract where the media rights to broadcast a university athletic event are
granted exclusively to a streaming service. The prohibition applies only to contracts entered
into or renewed after the bill’s effective date. Under the bill, university athletic events are
intercollegiate athletic competitions in which a student-athlete or team of student-athletes
affiliated with a state university participate.
State universities include the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University,
Central State University, the University of Cincinnati, Cleveland State University, Kent State
University, Miami University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Ohio University, the Ohio
State University, Shawnee State University, the University of Toledo, Wright State University,
and Youngstown State University.1
1 R.C. 3345.87(A) and (B). See also R.C. 3345.011, not in the bill.
March 12, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
Student access to observe university athletic events
The bill requires state universities to provide enrolled students access, free of charge, to
observe any university athletic events that are broadcast pursuant to a contract entered into in
accordance with the above prohibition. The bill gives state universities discretion to determine
the manner in which such access is provided.2
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 02-06-24
ANSB0221IN-135/sb
2 R.C. 3345.87(C).
P a g e |2 S.B. 221
As Introduced