Looks like the entire sports business has come together to address a serious issue. The four leagues, the NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NASCAR, are working together to find a solution to the drone issue in games. Fans of those near the stadium fly drones inside to capture sneak peek camera shots. These shots can subsequently be sold for a profit, but they also harm the league’s image. This is why Roger Goodell, together with MLB and NASCAR, pitched a massive bill to change the law.

Goodell and company plans to introduce a new bill called the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act. According to this, no drones or even flights will be permitted within a 3-nautical mile radius of the stadium. Well, there you go. That’s an excellent precaution. But are they forbidden if there isn’t a game? Well, no. Roger Goodell, MLB, and NASCAR have sought significant assistance in this problem. They just want the act to prohibit planes and drones from one hour before to after the game. With that, things could proceed smoothly and without much inconvenience. Now that can be a thing.

But there are already enforcement measures in place to address drone issues, right? So why is there a need for a new bill? Well, those enforcements are on-site federal law officers who have the necessary instruments to address the situation. They can use their devices to deactivate drones and then track down the owner to find them. The difficulty was that these enforcers were only on the field during huge games. These enforcements can be easily seen during the World Series, Super Bowl, and College Football Playoffs. But what about the regular games?

Roger Goodell is looking forward to addressing this issue only. The NFL has observed a significant increase in drone issues over the years. The new Bill will ensure that federal enforcers with the necessary equipment to disable drones are present during league games as well. Especially for big fanbase teams like the Chiefs and Eagles. Especially when these sorts of teams play on their home field. At that time, these kinds of situations are typically at their pinnacle.

Everyone knows how passionate the fans are about the game, and it’s always difficult to get tickets and attend for every fan. This is why these cheap methods have become increasingly popular in recent years. But how much has the number been increasing?

Roger Goodell and the NFL have witnessed a 4000% surge in drone issues

WHAT? 4000%? Well, being surprised by this figure is very understandable. But, yeah, that is true. The NFL experienced 67 drone incidents in 2018, while there were approximately 2,845 incidents throughout the 2023 season. And by 2025, this figure is likely to go higher. You now understand why the big leagues need to issue a new bill for the situation. The problems have gotten so bad that game delays are now occurring as a result of it.

If you recall, the Ravens‘ game against the Steelers for the wild-card round was much anticipated. It was at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and the crowd was overly thrilled. The game was delayed by an hour due to the large number of drones that got in the air space of the stadium. Later on, they were addressed first then the game began. This means that some fans who just want to catch a few glimpses of the game are spoiling the experience for an entire stadium.

Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s security head, has also raised security concerns. She has warned that drones can also be used to carry out bomb or terrorist strikes. As a result, this act can also help the league address those issues. Furthermore, Cotton told ESPN that these leagues are considering having the DEFENSE ACT implemented ASAP. Cotton stated, “Many drones around large athletic events are hobbyists or enthusiasts or practical jokers. But we can’t take the risk of fan lives because some of these drones can be equipped to carry explosives or most chillingly can be equipped with some kind of biological weapon.”

What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe the Act has the potential to improve stadium conditions? Or will the drones continue to rise in this manner?