To require the general application of the antitrust laws to major league baseball , and for other purposes.

March 27, 1995

Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. THURMOND, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. MOYNIHAN, and Mr. GRAHAM) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To require the general application of the antitrust laws to major league baseball , and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Major League Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1995'.

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF THE ANTITRUST LAWS TO PROFESSIONAL MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL .

The Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 27. (a) Subject to subsection (b), the antitrust laws shall apply to the business of professional major league baseball .

`(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect--

`(1) the applicability or nonapplicability of the antitrust laws to professional baseball 's amateur draft, the minor league reserve clause, the Professional Baseball Agreement, or any other matter relating to the minor leagues;

`(2) the applicability or nonapplicability of the antitrust laws to any restraint by professional baseball on franchise relocation; or

`(3) the application of Public Law 87-331 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.) (commonly known as the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961).'.