The Home Team Act of 2026 aims to prevent professional sports teams from relocating out of their home communities by giving local entities a right to purchase franchises before owners can move them. Under the bill, sports leagues cannot ban community ownership or public purchase of teams, and franchise owners must offer local governments, nonprofits, cooperatives, and local businesses the opportunity to buy the team at fair market value before relocating or eliminating the franchise. The Treasury Department would establish appraisers to determine fair purchase prices, with deductions for any government subsidies previously used to build the team's stadium. Owners who violate these rules face civil penalties of $30,000 per day, and local governments or states can sue for injunctive relief and damages. The legislation applies to major professional leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WNBA, and NWSL, and is based on Congress's constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce since sports franchises generate revenues across state lines.
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