Policyband

Indy Racing Legend Roger Penske Backs FCC's Carr on Keeping Sports on Free TV

Carr is concerned about the migration of NFL games to streaming platforms, hurting local TV stations that need sports income to fund news. "I could not agree more," Penske said in a letter to Carr

Ted Hearn

Apr 14, 2026 — 9 min read

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Indy TV: Roger Penske, owner of the NTT IndyCar Series, urged the FCC to protect broadcast television’s role in delivering major sports, calling it essential to both viewers and local communities. In an April 10 letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Penske praised Carr’s recent remarks linking the availability of live sports on broadcast TV to broader civic benefits, including stronger local news, public‑service programming and charitable engagement. “The data is clear: Sports thrive on broadcast television. Protecting this ecosystem is essential for the fans, sports teams, and the local communities that depend on the strength of their local broadcast stations. I commend you for your efforts,” Penske wrote. Penske, 89, is a legend. He has won a record 20 Indianapolis 500 races as a team owner. Team Penske won at Indy for the first time in 1972. Its most recent win came in 2024 with driver Josef Newgarden. (More after paywall)