TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that would crack down on fans who interfere in sports events, with sponsor Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, saying it would help athletes know they are safe.
The vote will send the bill (HB 319) to Gov. Ron DeSantis, as the House also passed it March 31.
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The bill, in part, targets people who run onto fields and try to make money off their exploits. It would increase maximum fines for fan interference from $1,000 to $2,500.
The bill also would take steps to recover money that people make from entering areas restricted to players, coaches and officials.
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Supporters of the bill have pointed to an incident in which a man, clad in a one-piece swimsuit advertising an adult website, ran across the field at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium during the fourth quarter of the 2022 Super Bowl.
The man later posted a video on Instagram about the incident, in which he was tackled by security and later charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
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In November, three people were arrested for running on the field at TIAA Bank Field during a Jacksonville Jaguars game. One had their charges dropped and two pleaded no contest.
Simon is a former All-American football player at Florida State University and a former NFL player.
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