Kerry threatens NFL if Patriots-Giants not on NBC

[82Marine89]

With the New England Patriots now one win away from finishing the regular season undefeated, Sen. John Kerry is stepping up his campaign to get the final game broadcast on national television.

The contest Saturday with the New York Giants is to air locally in Boston and New York. But outside those markets it is scheduled to appear only on the NFL Network, a cable channel that reaches just 35 million households nationwide while the league and cable operators dicker over pricing and distribution.

Kerry asked football Commissioner Roger Goodell today to move the game to NBC – and threatened Senate hearings if he does not.

“Under the unfortunate circumstance that this matter remains unresolved, leaving 60 percent of households across the country – including thousands in Massachusetts – without access to Saturday’s game, I will ask the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings on how the emergence of premium sports channels are impacting the consumer,” he wrote to Goodell today in a letter released by his office.

The Massachusetts Democrat added that he would “consider what legislative measures may be necessary to ensure that consumers are more than bystanders in this process.”

Kerry, who had offered earlier to convene a meeting between the league and cable operators, is only one of several lawmakers attempting to intervene. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have threatened to reconsider the league’s federal antitrust exemption if the sides do not come to an agreement.

Continued at LINK... (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/kerry_threatens_nfl_if_patriot.html)

[82Marine89]

The Massachusetts Democrat added that he would “consider what legislative measures may be necessary to ensure that consumers are more than bystanders in this process.”

Hey there Mr. John eFfing sKerry, it's called capitalism. Stay the fuck away from where you have no business.

[Abbey Marie]

If he doesn't get his way, and the Pats win the Super Bowl, he might suggest they throw their trophy over the stadium fence.

[CockySOB]

You have got to be fucking kidding me....

[Gaffer]

Just another attempt by the libs to control the media.

[red states rule]

Does this mean John Boy is now running for NFL Commissioner?

Does it not instill confidence in you folks to see Dems taking on the nations pressing issues?

[CockySOB]

Does this mean John Boy is now running for NFL Commissioner?

Does it not instill confidence in you folks to see Dems taking on the nations pressing issues?

Steroids in the MLB and prime-time access to the NFL - gotta love the Democrats priorities....

[Mr. P]

Briefly heard yesterday it was going to be on ABC and CBS both. I think that's what was said.

[Immanuel]

Personally, I am glad the NFL decided to make this game available to all fans. I don't think there should have been any question about it. This is probably the biggest non-championship game in NFL history and most likely tops some of the championship games. Knowing how big this game is and the current issues with cable companies not carrying The NFL Network, the NFL should have announced that as a thank you to loyal fans they were going to make the game available to the other networks.

I'm sure that eventually the network and cable companies will come to terms, but until then the Good Will of making that game available (without the kicking and screaming that has been going on) would have gone a long way.

But for God's sake, neither John Kerry nor any other politician has the right to stick their noses in this issue especially not using coersive tactics to get what he wants. Seems to me like the voters of the great state of Massachuesetts should be telling him to STFU or start packing. Yeah, right, like that is going to happen.

Immie

[DrJohn]

:lol:

:
Just another attempt by the libs to control the media.



Now I don't care who you are, that's funny!

[nevadamedic]

With the New England Patriots now one win away from finishing the regular season undefeated, Sen. John Kerry is stepping up his campaign to get the final game broadcast on national television.

The contest Saturday with the New York Giants is to air locally in Boston and New York. But outside those markets it is scheduled to appear only on the NFL Network, a cable channel that reaches just 35 million households nationwide while the league and cable operators dicker over pricing and distribution.

Kerry asked football Commissioner Roger Goodell today to move the game to NBC – and threatened Senate hearings if he does not.

“Under the unfortunate circumstance that this matter remains unresolved, leaving 60 percent of households across the country – including thousands in Massachusetts – without access to Saturday’s game, I will ask the Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearings on how the emergence of premium sports channels are impacting the consumer,” he wrote to Goodell today in a letter released by his office.

The Massachusetts Democrat added that he would “consider what legislative measures may be necessary to ensure that consumers are more than bystanders in this process.”

Kerry, who had offered earlier to convene a meeting between the league and cable operators, is only one of several lawmakers attempting to intervene. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have threatened to reconsider the league’s federal antitrust exemption if the sides do not come to an agreement.

Continued at LINK... (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/kerry_threatens_nfl_if_patriot.html)

Kerry needs to pick his battles. Also he is a master at screwing off on the tax payers dime.

[DrJohn]

Did anyone read the article?

Isn't Arlen Specter a republican?

Or is it only a problem if the Dems get involved???

OR, is it that y'all just hate Kerry?

[Immanuel]

Did anyone read the article?

Isn't Arlen Specter a republican?

Or is it only a problem if the Dems get involved???

OR, is it that y'all just hate Kerry?

Funny... I said "any other politician" which in my book includes Democrats and Republicans. ;)

I don't care which politician it is they have no business interfereing in legal corporate negotiations and business practices especially using threats to get what they want as John Kerry did here.

Immie

[DrJohn]

Funny... I said "any other politician" which in my book includes Democrats and Republicans. ;)

I don't care which politician it is they have no business interfereing in legal corporate negotiations and business practices especially using threats to get what they want as John Kerry did here.

Immie


You're correct and I apologize.
I should have quoted one of the other posters that kept mentioning the 'liberal' theme.

[Immanuel]

You're correct and I apologize.
I should have quoted one of the other posters that kept mentioning the 'liberal' theme.

Hehe,

Yeah... it is all those liberals faults as if conservative politicians (if there is such a thing anymore) will save the world. :laugh2:

Immie

[82Marine89]

Did anyone read the article?

Isn't Arlen Specter a republican?

Or is it only a problem if the Dems get involved???

OR, is it that y'all just hate Kerry?

Specter is a RINO.

[Psychoblues]

Kerry is KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[actsnoblemartin]

if you look up rino in the dictionary, arlen's picture is right there.


Specter is a RINO.

[Psychoblues]

I looked it up. I didn't see any picture.



if you look up rino in the dictionary, arlen's picture is right there.

Just what edition are you looking at?

BTW, thanks for the pos rep. I'll return it as soon as the software allows. You put me to 101!!!!!!! What a CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[actsnoblemartin]

I looked it up. I didn't see any picture.

Just what edition are you looking at?

me: the conservative bias edition :lol:

BTW, thanks for the pos rep. I'll return it as soon as the software allows. You put me to 101!!!!!!! What a CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, its a pleasure repping such a fine poster as yourself, people can argue about whether they agree, but not your passion and comittment to the board and your posts

[Gunny]

Hey there Mr. John eFfing sKerry, it's called capitalism. Stay the fuck away from where you have no business.

We're going to have to disagree on this one. The NFL over the course of my life has become a complete monster. We won't even get into how they've pussified and ruined the game with their rule changes.

Sure, it's ALWAYS been a business for the owners, but they have forgotten who made them -- the fans. And their revenue sharing is HARDLY capitalism at it's finest ... it's about as socialist as it gets.

Don't like your stadium because it doesn't have enough skyboxes which is 100% pure profit for the team owners? F*ck the fans ... hold the city hostage or move the team.

They've just found another way to get into the pockets of the fans, and fans just line up and pay.

[red states rule]

Kerry is KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is more like a loser with a huge superiority complex

[Immanuel]

We're going to have to disagree on this one. The NFL over the course of my life has become a complete monster. We won't even get into how they've pussified and ruined the game with their rule changes.

Sure, it's ALWAYS been a business for the owners, but they have forgotten who made them -- the fans. And their revenue sharing is HARDLY capitalism at it's finest ... it's about as socialist as it gets.

Don't like your stadium because it doesn't have enough skyboxes which is 100% pure profit for the team owners? F*ck the fans ... hold the city hostage or move the team.

They've just found another way to get into the pockets of the fans, and fans just line up and pay.

I think a lot of that has to do with the policies of the two most recent commissioners. I really can't stand Roger Goodell. His policy of suspending any player that says, "Sh*t" on national television for breaking the code of conduct sucks. They should fire his butt before he destroys the NFL in the same way that MLB and the NBA have gone down the crappers. Goodell is making the game to darned PC!

As for the NFL Network, I think it would be a great idea if they would insure that all fans had access. I have not looked into the "politics" of the reasons why basic cable won't provide access. I'm sure it has something to do with cold, hard cash. I sure wish they'd work out the differences before next season. I am tired of missing so many of the good games because BrightHouse does not carry The NFL Network.

Heck! If we can have 30 cooking channels, 5 Home and Garden channels, a dozen religion channels, 3 dozen news channels (well propaganda) and who knows how many Spanish language channels why can't we have one NFL channel? (Yes, I am exaggerating on the numbers of some of those but you get my point)

And being a long time Raider Fan as well as living in the Tampa Bay Area, I 100% agree with you on the stadium issue.

Immie

[Pale Rider]

Don't like your stadium because it doesn't have enough skyboxes which is 100% pure profit for the team owners? F*ck the fans ... hold the city hostage or move the team.

They've just found another way to get into the pockets of the fans, and fans just line up and pay.

Not only that, if they want a new stadium, they hit up the government for grants that don't need to be paid back to the tune of millions. Yeah, when they do that, I think the government has every right to come back and tell them to make their shit public when they've used the public's money to build their buildings.

[Little-Acorn]

Hey there Mr. John eFfing sKerry, it's called capitalism. Stay the fuck away from where you have no business.
Of course it's his business. The Framers fully intended Congress to regulate and restrict major sports in this country. Says so right in the Constitution, between the parts that authorize the Fed to run health care and retirement, and the part that says it can regulate environmental issues. Are you blind? Kerry certainly has that section memorized, as do most vote-buying liberals (in both parties).


Not only that, if they want a new stadium, they hit up the government for grants that don't need to be paid back to the tune of millions.
There they mostly hit up state and local governments, which in fact I have no objection to. If a city wants to nearly bankrupt itself supporting a team whose revenues don't meet their expenses, that's their business. And if the city's residents think their local government is doing things they don't want, they can vote the bastards out, and/or move to another city or state and take their tax money with them.

State and city governments have competition. The Fed doesn't. That's why city and state govts have a much freer hand than the Fed does (or ought to). If they screw up, they can suffer the consequences more directly. The Fed merely has to charge more taxes, as our southpaw brethern keep trying to do. If\\WHEN the Fed screws up, who ya gonna call?

[Gunny]

I think a lot of that has to do with the policies of the two most recent commissioners. I really can't stand Roger Goodell. His policy of suspending any player that says, "Sh*t" on national television for breaking the code of conduct sucks. They should fire his butt before he destroys the NFL in the same way that MLB and the NBA have gone down the crappers. Goodell is making the game to darned PC!

As for the NFL Network, I think it would be a great idea if they would insure that all fans had access. I have not looked into the "politics" of the reasons why basic cable won't provide access. I'm sure it has something to do with cold, hard cash. I sure wish they'd work out the differences before next season. I am tired of missing so many of the good games because BrightHouse does not carry The NFL Network.

Heck! If we can have 30 cooking channels, 5 Home and Garden channels, a dozen religion channels, 3 dozen news channels (well propaganda) and who knows how many Spanish language channels why can't we have one NFL channel? (Yes, I am exaggerating on the numbers of some of those but you get my point)

And being a long time Raider Fan as well as living in the Tampa Bay Area, I 100% agree with you on the stadium issue.

Immie

Basic cable does not provide access because the NFL has rejected their offers. So yeah, it's about cash.

[gabosaurus]

What do you expect from Kerry? He is one of those evil Patriots fans.

[Immanuel]

Basic cable does not provide access because the NFL has rejected their offers. So yeah, it's about cash.

:lol:

I'm sure if you worked in the cable industry your reply would have been, "Basic cable does not provide access because the NFL wants too much money for coverage. So, yeah, it is about cash."

Funny how we can both look at the same issue and come up with different answers depending on our points of view. Right? :)

Immie

[Chessplayer]

It's not just "Kerry" and "The New England Patriots." It is a great example of the Liberal Media, however.

The NFL League is moving nearly all pro games, including Monday Night Football, to a pay-only channel.

I know you guys are all screaming how this is an example of the Liberal Media...How about this take on the issue...


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/29/saunders-nfl-cable-impasse-leaves-fans-out-in/

So whom do you blame - the greedy NFL owners or the greedy cable companies?

Actually, there's enough blame - and greed - to go around, considering that numerous fans around the country won't have household access when tonight's Dallas-Green Bay game airs on NFL Network.

And these same fans also will be shut out Dec. 29 when New England meets the New York Giants in a game that could decide whether the Patriots will have a perfect season.

The core problem: A few major cable companies, including Time Warner, one of the nation's largest, don't carry NFL Network.

The reason: No agreement on a financial deal.

Thus, fans in those markets don't have regular access to late-season NFL games aired by NFL Network, founded in 2003 by the league's owners.

Other cable systems, including Comcast locally, carry NFL Network on a second (digital) tier that costs subscribers $4.95 more monthly than the basic cable package.


Comcast, which has 800,000 subscribers locally, moved NFL Network to its second, more expensive, tier last June, obviously to gain revenue.

While the cable company doesn't provide specific tier information, about 60 percent of local subscribers are on the second tier, based on overall national reports.

On Thanksgiving, NFL Network began its second season of live coverage of eight Thursday night games. Under an agreement, broadcast stations in the markets featuring the teams can air the games for a fee.

Do I hear the phrase pay-per-view?

On Dec. 13, KWGN-Channel 2 will simulcast NFL Network's broadcast of the Broncos-Texans game from Houston.

Heated commentary about how fans are suffering because of the financial standoff between NFL Network and cable companies has increased during the past year.

Now, such commentary is mixed with rage because of tonight's partial blackout.

As one Milwaukee writer notes: "Green Bay fans are really cheesed-off."

The game will be aired in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Madison because broadcast stations in those markets can afford to pay to air the contest.

But smaller channels around the state, unable to come up with a hefty fee, won't broadcast the game.

Do I hear the phrase pay-per-view?

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners have bonded together, blaming the cable companies for the situation.

Goodell has implied that the responsibility for viewers being able to see the league's biggest games rests not with the league but with various cable operators. Dallas owner Jerry Jones has advocated that fans drop cable and move to satellite-delivered services like DirecTV and the Dish Network, which carry NFL Network.

Such dialogue might sound like the NFL is the "good guy" in this dispute.

But it's possible - perhaps even probable - that NFL owners and their network are paving the way for a major pay-per-view system down the road.

A future scenario: While over-the-air networks would continue to offer "free" coverage of NFL games, NFL Network would have a pay-per-view system featuring at least one key weekend matchup during the regular season.

And is a pay-per-view policy a possibility for NFL playoff games?

But back to the matter at hand: It's difficult to determine the exact number of fans (millions or thousands?) who won't have access to tonight's game in their homes.

The satellite dishes are out there. And bars around the country are stocking up on beverages.

But the point remains:

Tonight's Dallas-Green Bay game is more than a crucial NFC contest. It's a wake-up call for fans, who should realize that increased bottom-line profit by the cable industry and NFL owners is the big winner in today's sports-TV universe.

[red states rule]

What do you expect from Kerry? He is one of those evil Patriots fans.

He is a liberal who thinks government is the answer to all problems

[Immanuel]

He is a liberal who thinks government is the answer to all problems

It ain't? ;)

Immie

[red states rule]

It ain't? ;)

Immie

well, we can see the "success" the libs had had their war on poverty

40 years and $8 trillion later, they still tell us we need to spend more money and then, and only then, can they end poverty

[Immanuel]

well, we can see the "success" the libs had had their war on poverty

40 years and $8 trillion later, they still tell us we need to spend more money and then, and only then, can they end poverty

Hah!

The War on Poverty, The War on Drugs and the War on Terrorism = never-ending wars. We are stuck with these wars for as long as our government cares to wage them because neither poverty, drugs nor terrorism are going away.

Immie