Senators Tom Cotton and Jacky Rosen are sponsoring the bill, emphasizing the crucial role of local law enforcement in safeguarding airspace during these large gatherings.

The NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR have expressed their support for the DEFENSE Act, which aims to empower law enforcement to disable unauthorized drones operating at sports stadiums.

In 2023 alone, the NFL reported over 2,800 incidents of unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace during games.

The proposed bill would extend its protections to venues hosting over 30,000 attendees and outdoor events with more than 100,000 participants, covering major NFL, MLB, NCAA Division 1 football, and NASCAR events.

If passed, the bill would require law enforcement to undergo counter-drone training and mandate federal agencies to compile a list of approved drone mitigation technologies.

A significant incident occurred during the 2024 AFC Championship Game when a drone intrusion temporarily halted the match, leading to a guilty plea from the operator for violating airspace regulations.

Cotton has underscored the importance of collaboration between local and state authorities to ensure safety in the airspace above crowded sporting events.

The urgency of this legislation is underscored by a recent drone-related disruption during the January AFC wild-card game, which resulted in federal charges against the drone's pilot.

Currently, federal law only permits federal agents to disable drones at select high-profile events, such as the Super Bowl, leaving many other events vulnerable.

This legislation comes in response to the growing threat of unauthorized drones at sporting events, as highlighted by ESPN's Tisha Thompson.