MADISON, Wis. -- All sides from the ongoing cable television debate about the inclusion of college and professional sports networks testified before a Wisconsin Senate committee Thursday.

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Representatives from the Big Ten and NFL networks, Green Bay Packers officials and the Big Ten commissioner as well as the local cable TV providers spoke at the hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities and Rail at the state Capitol.

The hearing addressed whether the Big Ten and NFL networks could negotiate a longstanding dispute with local cable companies so that Wisconsin sports fans aren't shut out from watching their favorite teams.

The state Legislature is considering a bill that would provide government arbitration to resolve the dispute.

"Sports die off when they are not broadly accessible to the fans, and this is the start of that problem," said Jason Wied, vice president for administration and corporate counsel to the Green Bay Packers.

Representatives from the Packers and the NFL Network spoke in support of the bill Thursday.

"Consumer preference and a true free market don't exist in Wisconsin today," said Steve Bornstein, CEO of the NFL Network.

The NFL Network said it wants an arbitrator to solve the dispute to get distribution of their games.

"There's no guarantee that you're going to win in the arbitration, but we have basically experienced in the last two years a basic stonewalling by big cable. And we think anything that can get them to the table to bargain in good faith would be viable," Bornstein said.

But the cable companies called the bill one-sided and unfair and argued it will pass on costs to consumers. The state's cable industry said the Legislature shouldn't interfere with the free marketplace.

"I think they've heard from people that are frustrated and they're trying to do something about it, and I can appreciate that," said Tom Moore, executive director of the Wisconsin Cable Communications Association. "But, unfortunately, this legislative fix does not facilitate a mutually agreeable dispute resolution process. On the contrary, it creates a right of carriage on cable systems."

University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, the Big Ten commissioner and the president of the Big Ten Network also testified, but not to support or oppose the bill. They said they are hoping only for a resolution.

Some have questioned lawmakers' involvement in the issue. The Cable Association did a survey of its customers and said that 85 percent of respondents said they wanted government to stay out of it.

But some Wisconsin lawmakers and legislators in a handful of other states think that leading both sides to arbitration is the way to solve the problem.

Sen. Dave Hansen, co-sponsor of the bill, said the legislation is meant to stand up for the customers being affected and encourage the parties to reach an agreement.

Fans across the country have been left angry and confused when key games are on the networks and not carried by major cable companies, WISC-TV reported.