Most Texans are worried about how they are going to pay next year’s property taxes, or are concerned about how the new business income tax is going to affect their job. The Legislature? Well, their taking time next week to listen to Dallas Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones talk about why cable customers should be forced to buy the NFL Network. (I sent a letter to lawmakers today, which you can read here, opposing legislative involvement in this issue.)
The House Regulated Industries Committee will hold this dog and pony hearing on Monday, Dec. 10. Good day; the millionaire football players and their owners will have the opportunity to fly to Austin in their corporate jet and whine about how the cable companies aren’t letting them raid your wallet.
Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m sure the cable companies would love to raid your wallet, too. it’s just in this case, the companies’ don’t see much benefit to them, and no clamoring from their customers, in this deal. Funny thing, Jerry, that’s how the market really works. Customers, not legislators, pick the services they want.
Of course, the NFL has fancy federal anti-trust protection, and they are used to convincing elected officials to tax citizens to pay for things like football stadiums.
Who do you root for in this dust-up between NFL owners and the cable companies? Neither. Root for the freedom and integrity of the marketplace. The best solution for the consumer will come from the market, not legislators.
