COMMISSIONER SELIG EXPRESSES CONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE BILL, PLAYERS UNIONS OPPOSE IT

Washington, May 18, 2005 - Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Agency, today heard from commissioners of major professional sports leagues and leaders of the players unions on their views on his Sports Free Drug Act (H.R. 1862).   Stearns quoted from the President's state of the Union address of 2004, "'I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now.'"  Continued Stearns, "I appreciate the President's concerns, but, unfortunately, that call is still urgent and unfulfilled."

Stearns stated, "Let us focus on this simple notion that sport, at its core, is about honesty, integrity, and innate human ability.  Illegal steroid use is a desecration of those values.  I, along with many of my colleagues, believe the best solution includes comprehensive and uniform drug testing rules, procedure, and penalties for all professional sports."

H.R. 1862 is modeled after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) standards, which have been embraced by the U.S. Olympic Committee and many professional sports organizations.

Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, stated:  "Major League Baseball has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate a willingness to deal with issues of performance enhancing substances without the need for federal legislation.  If federal legislation is the path that Congress chooses to follow, the Drug Free Sports Act that has been introduced by Congressman Stearns is conceptually in accord with my views."

Donald Fehr, Executive Director, Major League Baseball Players Association, testified, "In short, we have negotiated a program that we firmly believe will work.  Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that the Players Association does not believe the proposed legislation should be enacted."

Testifying for the National Hockey League, Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed support for a program of mandatory testing, but added, "we do not see a need for the proposed legislation at it would relate to the NFL.  However, should Congress decide to proceed in this area and legislate along the lines that this proposed legislation would contemplate, the NHL's specific comments regarding the provisions of the proposed legislation are directed towards rules requiring mandatory testing for athletes and the provision regarding exemptions."

"We all agree that more must be done to rid sports of steroid use, but we do not agree on how," concluded Stearns.  "I believe that ending the criminal use of steroids in professional sports and setting a better standard for athletes so admired by America's youth merit Congressional involvement.  Your testimony is deeply appreciated and I will again look at this legislation with your input in mind.  The next step, after this hearing, is to consider H.R. 1862 in the subcommittee and move it to the full committee."