NFL won't let church show game

Sports Illustrated ^ | 2/1/07 | AP

[Publius Valerius]

Though I probably missed it, I didn't see this posted.

[BritExPatInFla]

If that's the NFL's licensing rules, then that's that. If an exception is made here, then anyone can argue that they deserve the same.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

What's a church doing showing the Super Bowl on the Sabbath? If it was on another day, that's one thing, but shouldn't they be preparing a sermon, not a football get-together?

[weegee]

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An exception is made for sports bars and other businesses that show televised sports as a part of their everyday operations.

"We have contracts with our (TV) networks to provide free over-the-air television for people at home," Aiello said. "The network economics are based on television ratings and at-home viewing. Out-of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen."

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It's clearly a double standard. "Exceptions" are the rule.

[garyb]

I would be interested in chapter & verse of "the law" that limits screen size to 55 inches.

[Londo Molari]

The Superbowl is one of the most overrated events ever invented. I can't stand to watch it anymore.

[olivia3boys]

Wow, I know a lot of big evangelical churches in the U.S. are planning to show the game on huge screens to large groups of people this Sunday.

The NFL better get busy!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Agree.
Stick with bingo.

[California Patriot]

Gold-plated jerks.

[RavenATB]

This is pretty low. What is the NFL leadership thinking?

Does someone really think that the people who would have been enjoying the game at a Church are going to select another option that would put even an extra dime in the NFL's pockets?

[L98Fiero]

"If that's the NFL's licensing rules,"

Try promoting a big "American Idol Finale" party as such and then charge admission to the broadcast of it. Insert any major televised even for "American Idol Finale" and think about the cosequences. Hell, try it with one of your DVDs.

The church was clearly doing a no-no.

[boilerfan]

Even though it is a violation of the NFL's TV licensing. It makes for real bad publicity.

See, let's stomp on a church who wants to use it's equipment to show the Super Bowl and create a lot of bad blood with our customers, aka the fans. Makes good business sense to me.....NOT!

Another thought is that the Church should reduce the viewing size of the screen to 55" and still show it anyhow.

[muawiyah]

At the time the "law" was written there weren't any digital TV projectors that could carve out a larger rational image.

I'd say the image is no bigger than the DMD at the heart of the device, or something far less than an inch on each side.

[L98Fiero]

"Wow, I know a lot of big evangelical churches in the U.S. are planning to show the game on huge screens to large groups of people this Sunday."

They promoting it as a "Super Bowl" party and charging admission for the purpose of turning a profit?

[L98Fiero]

"Another thought is that the Church should reduce the viewing size of the screen to 55" and still show it anyhow."

They should probably drop the admission fee as well.

[Proud2BeRight]

"If that's the NFL's licensing rules, then that's that."

Apparently some people here can't understand that based on what I see of the responses. The Chicago Park District wanted to show it at Soldier Field (where daBears play) on Sunday and the NFL said the same thing, "No".

[lightman]

Wow, I know a lot of big evangelical churches in the U.S. are planning to show the game on huge screens to large groups of people this Sunday.

I thought "Evangelical" was derived from the Greek word for "Good News". How on earth does the Super Bowl aid and abet the Good New of the Gospel?

I'd call any religious group holding a game party "EINO" = Evangelical in name only.

[boilerfan]

Touche!

[olivia3boys]

No admission fees, but on huge screens and advertised as a Super Bowl party.

I really doubt they realize they are violating any rules.