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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

House democratic lawmakers unveil ‘Hoosier Homefield Advantage’ 

Legislative package focuses on growing Indiana’s sports economy

HANNA RAUWORTH
HANNA RAUWORTH
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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Several Indiana House Democratic lawmakers rolled out “The Hoosier Homefield Advantage” package, designed to grow Indiana’s sports economy. 

The package is proposed by State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster), House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) and State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne). 

“Indiana is already doing great in the sports realm, but Indiana House Democrats believe we can do even better and send our sports industry through the stratosphere,” Gore said. “The ‘Hoosier Home Field Advantage’ is a legislative package designed to improve our sports economy and show Hoosiers that state government can be responsive to their lives and interests.” 

The package is proposed by State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster), House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) and State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne). (Photo/Indiana House Democrats)

The legislation includes: 

House Bill 1534: Requires school corporations and charter schools to offer a cash payment option at athletic events beginning July 1, 2025. 

House Bill 1541: Prohibits IHSAA from charging for streaming high school athletic events. 

House Bill 1517: Designates the day after the Super Bowl an annual state holiday called “American Professional Football Day.” 

House Bill 1292: Establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, which will work to attract a professional sports franchise to NWI and spur economic development and job creation. 

House Bill 1608: Requires the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to study methods and strategies to allow Indiana to become a leader in the development of the e-sports industry. 

Drafted amendments include requiring the Indiana Sports Corporation to invest money received from the statewide sports and tourism bid fund as necessary to attract and promote professional wrestling events and an amendment to institute a sales tax exemption on children’s athletic gear. 

“This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take my son to the WWE Royal Rumble that was hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium,” Andrade said. “We had wrestling fans visit Indy from across the country and around the world for this electrifying event. That’s why I’ll be offering an amendment this session to require that the Indiana Sports Corporation invest money received from the statewide sports and tourism bid fund to attract and promote more professional wrestling events.” 

HB 1292 passed out of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee and was recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee. HB 1608 is scheduled to receive a hearing in the House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee. 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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