NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl

The Washington Pest ^ | 2/1/08 | Jacqueline L. Salmon

[steve-b]

For years, as many as 200 members of Immanuel Bible Church and their friends have gathered in the church's fellowship hall to watch the Super Bowl on its six-foot screen. The party featured hard hitting on the TV, plenty of food -- and prayer.

But this year, Immanuel's Super Bowl party is no more. After a crackdown by the National Football League on big-screen Super Bowl gatherings by churches, the Springfield church has sacked its event. Instead, church members will host parties in their homes.

Immanuel is among a number of churches in the Washington area and elsewhere that have been forced to use a new playbook to satisfy the NFL, which said that airing games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright....

[steve-b]

The law may be on their side, but this is a stupid and unnecessary PR fiasco in the making....

[Red Badger]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights? This is stupid...........

[ml/nj]

Didn't we do this last year?

ML/NJ

[cinives]

So who cares whether you are watching on 1 huge screen or on 15 smaller screens - it’s still a broadcast, for Pete’s sake.

Dumb, really dumb.

[The Louiswu]

The NFL pulled this crap with a church here in Indy. Finally at the 11th hour the NFL caved due to PR pressure.

I wish the NFL would pull it's head out of it's butt and stop pulling these kinds of legal stunts.

[Always Right]

They did this last year against some churches in Indianapolis. Not sure what the NFL really thinks they are gaining.

[rovenstinez]

The aren’t making enough money off of Super Bowl. Believe you ME, that there will be hundreds of violations of this ruling in every other country in the world. Just for the Americans, American football this applies. Sheeple, follow their rules!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I recall this story from last year, as well.

(Guess they missed a few churches.)

[1rudeboy]

A version of this article appears every year on schedule.

[Always Right]

yes.

[Richard Kimball]

They've been doing it for several years. I have no idea how it hurts them for churches to have parties and watch the Super Bowl. The NFL can control media coverage to some extent, as most of the sports press (ABCCBSNBCFOXESPN) all have contracts with Fox and are business partners. They actually function as the public relations arm of the NFL.

The NFL has always done weird things, but they make a ton of money doing it.

[DownInFlames]

What about all of the bars in the country with a big screen and a huge patronage buying their goods (bud, etc.)

[Man50D]

The league bans public exhibitions of its games on TV sets or screens larger than 55 inches because smaller sets limit the audience size.

Churches could always install more than one screen/TV under 55 inches.

[Biblebelter]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

[Disturbin]

I have an 8-foot screen at home, but won’t be watching the game due to lack of cable and reception.

This sort of so-called ban by the NFL is ridiculous. After the kind of garbage they allow during the half-time show, are they really in a position to deny church parties? Do they ban bars and clubs from showing the bowl?

We have a group of people watching the bowl game at the rod and gun club, but I believe our TV is 48” or so.

I wonder when 55” will change as the cutoff point?

[fortheDeclaration]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

Amen.

[Disturbin]

“Churches could always install more than one screen/TV under 55 inches.”

True — can’t you get several 27” TV’s for the price of one giant one?

[SamAdams76]

Well I think it’s stupid of the NFL to do this but on the other hand, I’m somewhat amazed that churches these days show football games. When I went to church as a kid, it was always serious all the time. The thought of showing a football game in church was unthinkable and about a dozen old ladies would instantly die of a heart attack if the priest even brought up the idea.

[Proverbs 3-5]

This is just one more reason why I just can't get into the NFL (I prefer college FB) and haven't watched the "Super Bowl" in years.

First you have players on the field, who get paid millions (in many cases) because they are good and they are professionals doing monkey dances or carrying off a football for their collection for a good play they made when they are doing precisely what what they are suppose to do.

Second, you have numerous players who have been given a gift (their ability and opportunity to play in the NFL) and some times a second chance in life who squander it off field.

Then you have the NFL not only telling churches they can't advertise "Super Bowl" parties but other businesses. I've seen many adds for "game day" parties and 'super" parties. And yet it is these unofficial Super Bowl parties that make it possible for the NFL to make lotsa moolah...

SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL-- SUPER BOWL--

There I said it.

[Mr. Brightside]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights?

Probably the same way that music copyright works. Anytime you hear music in a restaurant, the music must purchase a liscense for playing it. ASCAP, BMI etc are famous for the way they intimidate business across the nation with large fines in order to build their membership base.