The NFL Blinks
by Doomsday on Dec 26, 2007 5:47 PM CST
7 comments
It didn't take an act of congress but it was close.
By RACHEL COHEN, AP Sports Writer
December 26, 2007NEW YORK (AP) -- After weeks of insisting they wouldn't cave in, NFL officials did just that Wednesday. Now all of America can see the Patriots' shot at history.
Goodell puts a little spin on a bad situation...
"We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement after the league announced it was reversing course. "What we have seen for the past year is a very strong consumer demand for NFL Network. We appreciate CBS and NBC delivering the NFL Network telecast on Saturday night to the broad audience that deserves to see this potentially historic game. Our commitment to the NFL Network is stronger than ever."
Yahoo link:
I don't know the political wranglings involved here but apparently they were significant...
But lawmakers have pressured the NFL to ensure more viewers could see the game. Last week, two prominent members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Goodell threatening to reconsider the league's antitrust exemption.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who co-wrote the letter with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he was "delighted" by the NFL's concession.
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yawn
would have been nice if they did it for a game I actually gave a hoot about. Giants vs. Patriots? Screw them both.
by Nelson on Dec 26, 2007 6:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
the real game of the week
(as far as we are concerned) is CLE @ SFO...
by 325424 on Dec 26, 2007 8:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Strange Bedfellows indeed...
I would never have guessed that I would be pulling for San Francisco (top 5 on my hate-o-meter) against the Cleveland Browns (I like these guys, really)
by DalaiLuke on Dec 26, 2007 10:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a feeling
that the NFL Network is doing this because of the threat by Congress to take away the antitrust exemption. They are trying to kiss Congresses royal hiney in hopes that the exemption is not reconsidered. Has nothing to do with the fans, if it had anything to do with the fans, there would be no games on NFL network at all!
by stevefs12 on Dec 27, 2007 1:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
you sir are exactly right
by Terry on Dec 27, 2007 7:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
also was hurting their image
fans love to watch history, and most of the country wouldn't be able to do that if the NFL had not made these concessions for this game. historic games always attract more fair-weather fans who don't watch on a regular basis. so in order to protect their image and expand thier fanbase hopefully, they caved
by alap on Dec 27, 2007 9:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
It is nice to know
that the NFL is not so big they ignore the fans and the Congress. Now if only Congress would demand a change in Comcast's antitrust actions (Orlando, Portland NBA games).
by lee3022 on Dec 27, 2007 10:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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