Fans of Syracuse University could soon have more viewing options when it comes to local sports. The Federal Communications Commission has voted to prevent cable operators from withholding sporting events and other popular programming that they own from satellite providers and other rivals.

Until now cable operators had been using a "loophole" in the 1992 federal cable law to deny competitors access to cable-owned programming.

The ruling could have a major impact in Central New York, where Time Warner Cable controls broadcasts of Syracuse University athletic events. Time Warner Cable did not return calls seeking a comment on the ruling. However, Kathleen Grillo, Verizon's senior VP of regulatory affairs hailed the FCC's decision. "This is a big-time victory for television sports fans," Grillo said. "The FCC's decision to make must-see regional sports programming, including high-definition feeds, presumptively available to competitors, puts viewers in the driver's seat. This ruling means that consumers will no longer have to stick with their incumbent cable provider in order to watch local teams in high definition."

Satellite companies like DIRECTV also celebrated the FCC decision, noting: "The FCC's order today eliminating the terrestrial loophole is a big win for consumers and fair competition in the marketplace. We vigorously applaud the FCC for recognizing that withholding cable-owned regional sports networks from non-cable competitors significantly hinders competition and is anti-consumer. We are looking forward to offering DIRECTV customers the local sports programming they have been denied for so many years."

Time Warner Cable customers like Dave Koczan's say he would switch to another provider if they could offer the same SU games for a lower price. "It's something I would consider...I have Time Warner now but if it is cheaper I would think about switching..always looking for a better deal," Koczan says.