The bill enacts a new section, 3345.88, of the Revised Code, which establishes regulations regarding the broadcasting of intercollegiate athletic competitions involving state universities in Ohio. It defines key terms such as "university athletic event" and "state university," and stipulates that no state university may enter into or renew contracts that grant exclusive media rights for broadcasting these events to a streaming service, provided this is permissible under federal law. This restriction applies only to contracts initiated or renewed after the bill's effective date.
Additionally, the bill mandates that each state university must offer enrolled students free access to view any university athletic events broadcasted under compliant contracts. The universities are given the discretion to determine how this access is provided to students. This legislation aims to ensure that students can engage with their university's athletic events without financial barriers, while also regulating the media rights associated with these broadcasts.