Unregulated drones are becoming a nuisance during NFL games, and the league, along with other major sports organizations, is calling on Congress to take immediate action to ensure safety. The NFL, MLB, and NASCAR are asking for speedy approval of legislation that will decrease the number of unregulated drones violating restricted airspace during games and events.
The Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, which would have empowered state and local authorities to take down wayward drones, stalled in the Senate this spring.

NFL has issued a strong plea to Congress to address the increasing drone activities

The NFL asked Congress to tackle the rapidly increasing drone activities in the US that may interfere with Super Bowl LIX and other games. Since November, there have been many reports of drones in the Northeast in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, which alarmed the whole nation and led to further investigations.
The Pentagon has assured the public that drones are primarily recreational and not a threat, but the NFL is not taking any chances. “The time for us to act on this is now,” stated Cathy Lanier, the league’s chief security officer, in a conversation with Sierra Fox of FOX 5 DC. “We don’t want to wait until something bad happens.”
On Wednesday, Lanier urged Congress to take action in a statement to the Washington Post. “Over the past several years, an increasing number of drones have flown into restricted airspace during NFL games,” Lanier said in a statement. “With the nation’s attention now focused on drones, we again call on Congress to protect critical infrastructure and mass gatherings such as major sporting events.”
The NFL is concerned about the chaos that may be caused by drones in outdoor stadiums, since most stadiums lack such protection, though Super Bowl LIX will be shielded by the dome’s roof. Unprotected drone flights can cause severe disruptions to teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens due to their vulnerable open-air stadiums.
The White House provided a comprehensive response to recent drone sightings, as detailed by National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, saying the incidents largely involve “lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, and even stars mistakenly reported as drones.” He reassured the public, stating, “We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast. The work continues.”
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Earlier this year, a Pennsylvania man was accused of violating a flight restriction over the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, which meant a temporary suspension and $500 fine. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation.
The NFL is calling for preemptive action in response to the drone invasion, despite officials downplaying the risk, as millions of fans are watching and the stakes are high.