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Senate hearing on domestic violence in pro sports

FILE - In this May 24, 2012, file photo, NFL players union chief DeMaurice Smith speaks during a news conference outside their headquarters in Washington. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. In a letter sent Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith writes that "when these matters are left solely to the NFL, the process is mismanaged and often the end result has not been able to withstand outside review." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - In this May 24, 2012, file photo, NFL players union chief DeMaurice Smith speaks during a news conference outside their headquarters in Washington. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. In a letter sent Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith writes that "when these matters are left solely to the NFL, the process is mismanaged and often the end result has not been able to withstand outside review." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE - In this May 24, 2012, file photo, NFL players union chief DeMaurice Smith speaks during a news conference outside their headquarters in Washington. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline. In a letter sent Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith writes that "when these matters are left solely to the NFL, the process is mismanaged and often the end result has not been able to withstand outside review." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Representatives of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA and NHL are scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee about domestic violence in professional sports.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who chairs the panel, says he called for Tuesday’s hearing because “until very recently, the leagues’ records have not been very good” on the issue.

Rockefeller says there is “a long list of players” charged with, or convicted of, domestic violence “and the leagues have done little to nothing in response.”

Officials from the players’ unions in baseball, basketball and hockey are also scheduled to appear.

The NFL Players Association will not be represented Tuesday.