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Tisha Thompson
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation aimed at empowering local and state law enforcement to take action against drones during sports events, which have been identified as a growing risk by the NFL and other leagues.
The House passed the Safer Skies Act as part of a broader defense package with a vote tally of 312-112. This bill is now heading to the Senate, which may vote on it as soon as next week.
The timing of this legislation coincides with upcoming significant events, including the World Cup and the 250th anniversary celebrations of the nation next summer.
«As we gear up for the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics, enhancing airspace security is crucial to mitigate credible threats and protect both Americans and international attendees as they participate in these premier sporting events,» stated Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a comment to ESPN.
Presently, only a few high-profile events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup final have federal agents present who can disable unauthorized drones. Most major sporting events, including World Cup matches and countless NFL and MLB games, lack officials with legal authority to swiftly address a drone threat.
This new bill will enable local and state law enforcement to receive equivalent training as federal personnel and to operate on-site during large sporting events.
«In the next three years, the U.S. will host multiple major events that necessitate the broadening of these powers to tackle emerging drone threats,» remarked a White House official to ESPN. «The administration is dedicated to guaranteeing that these world-class events remain safe and secure for all involved.»
Earlier this year, the NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NASCAR supported a prior initiative to equip law enforcement with drone-control capabilities.
«For years, the NCAA has raised concerns about the dangers that unauthorized drones pose at championships and college sporting events,» said Tim Buckley, the NCAA’s senior vice president of external affairs, in a statement to ESPN at that time.
The NFL reported to ESPN that it has encountered over 2,000 drone incidents each of the last three seasons in the temporary restricted airspace around its stadiums, defined by the FAA as below 3,000 feet and within three nautical miles from one hour before until one hour after a game.
A wild-card game in January between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers was temporarily halted due to a drone hovering above M&T Bank Stadium. Additionally, the AFC Championship Game in January 2024 between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs was put on hold when a drone breached the stadium’s restricted airspace.
Drones can be neutralized in various ways, according to Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, which represents the drone industry. Options include requesting the operator to land the drone, jamming its radio frequency, capturing it with a net, colliding with it using another drone, or shooting it down, Robbins stated.
