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What exactly is a "professional sporting event"?

The statute lists high school events, it lists college events specifically as prohibited places (that makes sense-most of those are going to be on school grounds anyway) and then says "professional sporting event" with no definition given. For example...if you go to a Texas-Louisiana league baseball game....is that a "professional sporting event"?

Now, a Rangers game, Cowboys, Mavericks game sure.....but a less than "minor league" game? What about a Rodeo? If it's the PBR is that a "Professional sporting event"....what if it's the Pecos Annual Fair and Rodeo with mostly local competitors...but with prize money awarded?????

If you pay admission does that automatically make it a "professional sporting event"? Heck, we have a Ladies Roller Derby team here in Amarillo now .....Can I carry my heater while watching the Deadly Dames and the Bonzai Brawlers?

Welcome to the forum.

This is a perennial subject of debate. The law does not define professional sporting event. In general, professional means that the participants are paid. That would include sporting teams like the Astros and Cowboys, NASCAR races, and professional rodeos.

Does it include Roller Derby? Who knows? Either don't go, don't carry, or don't attract attention.

The number of arrests for 46.035 is small, and I'm willing to bet that most of them involve some other misbehavior.

- Jim

There is no legal definition in the TPC (AFAIK), and the only reference I have ever found was a federal definition, as defined by the olympic committee. In that case, whether a specific athlete is professional or amateur is defined by the governing body for that sport.

That said, it is generally agreed that a sport where the players are paid to play as a source of income in contest is considered professional. This includes just about every rodeo (most are PRCA or similarly affiliated), minor league teams (such as AAA baseball or minor league hockey, aka the Austin Ice Bats). Pretty much every fair and rodeo event I'm aware of charges separate admission for the rodeo itself, and the rodeo arena premises are off-limits, but the fair grounds are not (barring 30.06 posting at a non-government owned venue). As far as roller derby, none that I know of consider themselves professional. They are largely player-run and roller derby is not a real source of income. It is more along the lines of an exhibition amateur sport. Admission does not factor in, IMO.

Henry Dearborn wrote:What exactly is a "professional sporting event"?

A professional sporting event is whatever your jury thinks it is.

Yea, I think a jury will have the final say on that. Be nice to get some clarification on that issue from the Legislature though. Depending on how strict of an interpretation you give it it sure places alot of things off limits. I for one really enjoy going to the local hockey, baseball and arena football games. It can be a cheap night out for the family.