NFL to Churches: Thou Shalt Not Show Super Bowl

[-Cp]

Yet another reason why I could care less about the NFL

NFL fumbles on church event

Blow the whistle. There's no need for further review. The NFL deserves a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The rich and powerful NFL, which on Sunday will stage what is arguably the most popular annual sporting event in the world, had the audacity to send a letter to pastor John D. Newland of Indianapolis' Fall Creek Baptist Church demanding that the congregation cancel its Super Bowl party.

The church's infractions? Members planned to project Sunday's matchup between the Colts and Bears on a 12-foot screen. The church also asked visitors to donate money for snacks. And the congregation planned to show a video proclaiming the Christian witness of coaches Tony Dungy of the Colts and Lovie Smith of the Bears.

The league stipulates that games may be shown to public gatherings on screens 55-inches or smaller. No donations. And no testimonies.
Sports bars, however, according to the league, are exempt from the TV-screen and cover charge restrictions. Presumably, the league also wouldn't object if the well-lubricated guy on the stool next to you stood up at halftime to talk about how football changed his life.

It was bad enough when NFL teams began holding cities hostage in demanding new stadiums. Now the league wants to dictate to churches the content of their own halftime shows.

The NFL should be sent to the end of the bench for this fumble.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/OPINION/702020401/-1/ZONES04

[5stringJeff]

How ridiculous.

[Mr. P]

GEEEEZZZZZZZ they’re only looking out for Christians and the Church. They are preventing a fallen one from sneaking beer into the place.

[Nienna]

Wait... isn't the SuperBowl broadcast on public air? How can they even make these kinds of restrictions? The NFL can deal with the broadcast companies, but how can the NFL have a right to make ANY restrictions on the viewers of public tv?

[The ClayTaurus]

Wait... isn't the SuperBowl broadcast on public air? How can they even make these kinds of restrictions? The NFL can deal with the broadcast companies, but how can the NFL have a right to make ANY restrictions on the viewers of public tv?They don't want you reselling their product without getting their cut.

[-Cp]

They don't want you reselling their product without getting their cut.

But somehow sport's bars are exempt? It's a double-standard..

[darin]

But somehow sport's bars are exempt? It's a double-standard..

They are exempt because the NFL okay's ANY establishment which REGULARLY shows their games. Special showings are forbidden...Cuz they have it like that.

:(

Greedy SOB's.

[The ClayTaurus]

But somehow sport's bars are exempt? It's a double-standard..I agree.

[Mr. P]

If I were the church, I'd give em the big :upyours: and let them try to sue. :)

[Nienna]

They don't want you reselling their product without getting their cut.

I understand them not WANTING it to be resold... my question is, how is that legal or enforceable for them to restrict private groups from viewing? The NFL's contracts are with the broadcasting companies. That church did not sign a contract about the size of the screen or the availability of snacks. The NFL was stupid enough to hold the broadcasting co responsible for something over which they should have no control.

Sad thing is, the NFL surely has lots more $$$ than the church, and the intimidation or threat of lawsuit would likely make the church back down. :(

[The ClayTaurus]

I understand them not WANTING it to be resold... my question is, how is that legal or enforceable for them to restrict private groups from viewing? The NFL's contracts are with the broadcasting companies. That church did not sign a contract about the size of the screen or the availability of snacks. The NFL was stupid enough to hold the broadcasting co responsible for something over which they should have no control.

Sad thing is, the NFL surely has lots more $$$ than the church, and the intimidation or threat of lawsuit would likely make the church back down. :(The NFL doesn't want to be used in charity events without getting their cut. I mean, if the rules were just "can't rebroadcast for profit" then a church could have a massive superbowl part, charge 20 bucks to get in, show the game at a stadium, and rake in a lot of money for their church budget or for charity or whatever. And the NFL wants in on any charitable action they're involved in. It's an example of restrictions aimed at abusers penalizing the innocent.

[Nienna]

The NFL doesn't want to be used in charity events without getting their cut. I mean, if the rules were just "can't rebroadcast for profit" then a church could have a massive superbowl part, charge 20 bucks to get in, show the game at a stadium, and rake in a lot of money for their church budget or for charity or whatever. And the NFL wants in on any charitable action they're involved in. It's an example of restrictions aimed at abusers penalizing the innocent.

I'm just having trouble understanding how the church could be bound by that. I guess I don't understand the property rights involved here.

[Yurt]

GEEEEZZZZZZZ they’re only looking out for Christians and the Church. They are preventing a fallen one from sneaking beer into the place.


amen

[-Cp]

The NFL doesn't want to be used in charity events without getting their cut. I mean, if the rules were just "can't rebroadcast for profit" then a church could have a massive superbowl part, charge 20 bucks to get in, show the game at a stadium, and rake in a lot of money for their church budget or for charity or whatever. And the NFL wants in on any charitable action they're involved in. It's an example of restrictions aimed at abusers penalizing the innocent.

But that's not what this church was doing..... there was no profits involved...

[The ClayTaurus]

But that's not what this church was doing..... there was no profits involved...
It's an example of restrictions aimed at abusers penalizing the innocent