Law Approved to Disable Drones at Sporting Events
The United States House of Representatives passed a law that will allow local and state law enforcement to disable drones during sporting events. This measure comes in response to the growing concern of the NFL and other leagues about the threat posed by these devices. The “Safer Skies Act” was passed as part of a broader defense bill, with a vote of 312-112. Now, the legislation heads to the Senate, where it is expected to be voted on in the coming weeks. This legislative initiative comes at a crucial moment, as the United States prepares to host major events, including the World Cup and the celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary next summer.Currently, only a few major events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup final have a presence of federal law enforcement, who have the ability to disable unauthorized drones. Most major sporting events, including World Cup matches and thousands of NFL and MLB games, do not have officials with the legal authorization to act quickly in the face of a drone threat. The new law would allow local and state law enforcement to receive the same training as federal agents and work on-site during large-scale sporting events.“As our nation prepares to host the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics, robust airspace security will help mitigate credible threats and keep Americans and international visitors safe as they enjoy these world-class sporting events.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
In February, the NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NASCAR backed a prior effort to grant law enforcement officials drone mitigation powers. The NFL has experienced more than 2,000 drone incursions in each of the last three seasons in the temporary restricted airspace around its stadiums. The FAA defines this space as below 3,000 feet and within three nautical miles of a stadium, from one hour before to one hour after a game. In January, a wildcard game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers was temporarily suspended due to a drone flying over M&T Bank Stadium. The NFL also paused the AFC Championship Game in January 2024 between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs after a drone entered the stadium’s restricted airspace. According to Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, drones can be disabled in several ways. One way is to ask the operator to land it, or law enforcement can interfere with the drone’s radio frequency, trap it with a net, ram it with another drone, or shoot it down.“In the next three years, the United States will host numerous major events that require the expansion of these authorities to combat emerging drone threats. The administration is committed to ensuring that these world-class international events are safe for all participants.”
White House Official
