To enact section 3345.89 of the Revised Code with respect to the start times of college football games.
Summary
HB285 would add a new section to the Ohio Revised Code regulating the start times of certain college football games played in Ohio. The bill prohibits a game from starting before 3:30 p.m. when one of the teams is a state university football team and both teams are ranked in the top ten of the Associated Press poll, unless the matchup qualifies as a “college football tradition” based on a long history of the same start time. The bill defines that exception narrowly as a rivalry that has been played at least 50 times and has had the same start time for at least 95% of those games.
The bill also creates enforcement and contracting restrictions. If a covered game begins earlier than allowed, the attorney general must impose a $10 million fine on either the host conference or the television network that scheduled the earlier start time, whichever is responsible. In addition, state universities would be barred from entering into or renewing contracts with the NCAA, an athletic conference, or a media entity if the agreement could require or allow a violation of the bill’s start-time rule.
Impact
HB285 would directly affect Ohio’s public universities, athletic conferences, media broadcasters, and the NCAA by limiting their ability to schedule marquee football games before mid-afternoon in the narrow circumstance described in the bill. It would create a new statutory rule governing college football game timing, authorize a substantial civil penalty enforced by the attorney general, and restrict state universities from signing contracts that conflict with the law. The measure would therefore add a new layer of state regulation over athletic scheduling and broadcasting arrangements involving state university football programs.
Sentiment
Because the bill was only introduced and has no recorded committee testimony or votes, there is no formal legislative record of support or opposition in the provided materials. The text suggests a protective, fan-focused intent aimed at preserving favorable viewing conditions for high-profile college football games, especially those involving Ohio state universities. At the same time, the bill’s unusually strict timing mandate and very large fine indicate that it could draw concern from universities, conferences, and broadcasters who would be affected by the scheduling limits.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s narrow but rigid restriction on game start times, the broad reach of its contract prohibition, and the size of the proposed $10 million penalty. Potential opponents would include state universities, athletic conferences, the NCAA, and television or streaming networks, all of whom could argue that game scheduling is a matter of athletic and media negotiation rather than state law. Supporters would likely emphasize the bill’s goal of preventing early starts for major matchups involving Ohio public universities and preserving traditional or fan-friendly kickoff times.
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