More than 10,500 fans have petitioned the FCC...

More than 10,500 fans have petitioned the FCC to keep the sports blackout rule, said NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler filed in docket 12-3. “These letters reflect the strong and growing sentiment that the rule works and helps to keep NFL games widely available on free, over-the-air television.” The FCC shouldn’t “rush to judgment” on eliminating the rule, he said. The letters are part of The Protect Football on Free TV campaign, said a news release from the campaign. “The campaign is supported by the NFL and its CBS and FOX broadcast partners as well as the National Association of Broadcasters and the NFL Players Association."