The NFL Blinks

by Doomsday on Dec 26, 2007 5:47 PM CST

It didn't take an act of congress but it was close.

By RACHEL COHEN, AP Sports Writer
December 26, 2007
NEW 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.

Yahoo - NFL Caves In to Congress

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Comments

yawn

would have been nice if they did it for a game I actually gave a hoot about. Giants vs. Patriots? Screw them both.

There are two Adrian Petersons, but there is only one Marion Barber.

by Nelson @ Blogging The Boys on Dec 26, 2007 6:04 PM CST reply actions

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

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)

Cowboys and Tar Heels

by DalaiLuke on Dec 26, 2007 10:03 PM CST up reply actions

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!

Super Bowl party at my place, Dallas vs. ?, who's in?

by stevefs12 on Dec 27, 2007 1:54 AM CST reply actions

you sir are exactly right

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 27, 2007 7:21 AM CST up reply actions

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

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