Drones and Sports: Why Pro Leagues Want New Defense Laws
Drones are disrupting pro sports, and leagues want action. A new bipartisan bill would let local officials take them down—before fans or players are put at risk.
It seems defense doesn’t just happen on the field.
The NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR have come out in support of the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, a recently introduced bipartisan bill that gives state and local law enforcement the authority to disable drones above large sporting events.
Background: The airspace around stadiums or venues seating 30,000+ people is subject to temporary flight restrictions one hour before and one hour after an event. Flying drones in the area during that period is already a violation of federal law.
However, only on-site federal law enforcement officials have the authority and equipment necessary to disable drones, and they usually only attend major events such as the World Series, Super Bowl, and CFP – leaving thousands of other games unattended. State and local officials are more likely to be present during those matchups.
These days, crowds aren’t the only things buzzing. The number of “threats, incidents, and incursions by unauthorized drones” during NFL games rose from 67 during the 2018 season to 2,845 during the 2023 season, per NFL security chief Cathy Lanier.
The overarching concern: Pranksters or hobbyists have mostly been responsible for the drone-related issues thus far. But league officials are growing concerned about the potential for malicious actors to enact harm, ESPN reports.
Are drones allowed at sports stadiums during games?
No, flying drones in and around stadiums is prohibited starting one hour before and ending one hour after the scheduled time of major sporting events, including Major League Baseball, National Football League, NCAA Division One Football, and major auto races. Spotter Global+2Federal Aviation Administration+2Federal Aviation Administration+2
What are the risks of unauthorized drones at sports events?
Unauthorized drones can pose safety hazards by potentially crashing into players, officials, or spectators. They can also disrupt the event, cause delays, and raise security concerns, especially if used with malicious intent. These risks have led to increased calls for stricter drone regulations at sporting venues.
