Green Bay Reporter

Ahead of the Green Bay Packers’ season opener, Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI-08) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring all Wisconsinites can watch Packers games regardless of their location within the state.

The proposed legislation, called the Go Pack Go Act, seeks to address issues faced by residents in certain counties that are considered out-of-market for Wisconsin television broadcasts. As a result, these residents often receive broadcasts of other teams such as the Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions instead of the Packers.

“Nothing brings Wisconsinites together quite like the Packers,” said Congressman Wied. “The Go Pack Go Act is about making sure every Packers fan, from Douglas to Door County, can watch their team without being forced to endure Vikings or Lions broadcasts. I’m happy to join Senator Baldwin to lead this common sense, bipartisan legislation. If you live in the land of Lambeau, you deserve to see the Green and Gold every Sunday. No exceptions.”

Senator Baldwin added: “Regardless of where you live, every Wisconsinite should be able to cheer on the Green and Gold. But right now, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites live in communities where they could get Vikings or Lions games broadcast on their TVs instead of Packers games. It’s wrong and that’s why I’m fighting to fix it so every Packers fan across our state can watch our team play.”

Currently, more than 415,000 people in 13 Wisconsin counties are assigned to media markets based in Minnesota or Michigan rather than Wisconsin. This arrangement prevents them from accessing some or all Wisconsin-based TV stations and programming relevant to their communities—including local news and sports coverage such as Packers games.

On November 2nd this year, scheduling will place the Packers, Vikings, and Lions all playing at the same time on the same network. This means viewers near Minnesota may see only Vikings coverage while those close to Michigan may see only Lions coverage instead of their preferred local team.

The Go Pack Go Act would require cable and satellite providers serving these areas to offer access to broadcast television stations from a Wisconsin media market for subscribers living within state borders. The aim is not only improved access for sports fans but also greater availability of locally relevant information.

Counties expected to benefit include Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron and Sawyer Counties (in Duluth-Superior market); Barron, Burnett, Dunn Polk, Pierce, St. Croix and Washburn Counties (Twin Cities market); and Florence County (Marquette market).

Tony Wied was elected as U.S. Representative after defeating Kristin Lyerly in 2024 with 57.3% of votes compared to Lyerly's 42.6%.

Read the full bill text HERE.