Home Team Act of 2026

Community Ownership and Stability: Leagues are prohibited from preventing government entities or members of the general public from owning a franchise, which allows for more diverse ownership structures (Section 3(a)).

Local Control Over Relocation: When an owner wants to move a team or shut it down, they are required to offer the franchise to local entities first, such as local governments, community cooperatives, or local private persons/companies (Section 3(b)(1-2)).

Fair Pricing Protections: To ensure local groups aren't overcharged, the Secretary of the Treasury will provide a team of professional appraisers to evaluate a fair price (Section 3(c)(1)).

Accountability for Public Subsidies: The fair price evaluation will deduct any government payments, credits, or subsidies previously given for stadium construction, which protects the value of the appraisal (Section 3(c)(2)).

Legal Recourse for Local Governments: State or local governments have the right to bring civil actions in court for injunctive and monetary relief if a franchise owner violates these rules (Section 3(d)(2)).

Financial Penalties for Owners: Franchise owners who violate these provisions face a civil penalty of $30,000 for each day they are in violation (Section 3(d)(1)).

Restrictions on Movement: Owners are restricted from moving a franchise across state lines or eliminating a franchise without first providing a fair opportunity for local purchase (Section 3(b)(1)).