The NFL tried to take a stance. They didn't take a stance on the guy who was arrested for having more guns in his garage than a Branch Davidian. Their stance wasn't against players putting on a 30 second interpretive dance after every tackle for a four yard gain. It wasn't even against Urlacher for ripping a guys helmet off his head and throwing it down the field...
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league's long-standing policy is to ban "mass out-of-home viewing" of the Super Bowl.
Because they wouldn't want a lot of people to watch their game?
Because they wouldn't want a large group to enjoy their product all in the same room?
Because they don't want people putting together parties where you attract people to watch the game and the commercials that might not otherwise watch at all?
They said that it's ok to watch the game on a TV bigger than 55 inches if you're at a sports bar...but against the rules at your own home, your church, Synagogue, or Temple.
This seems like the all time worst PR move of all time (or second behind New Coke)
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league's long-standing policy is to ban "mass out-of-home viewing" of the Super Bowl.
Because they wouldn't want a lot of people to watch their game?
Because they wouldn't want a large group to enjoy their product all in the same room?
Because they don't want people putting together parties where you attract people to watch the game and the commercials that might not otherwise watch at all?
They said that it's ok to watch the game on a TV bigger than 55 inches if you're at a sports bar...but against the rules at your own home, your church, Synagogue, or Temple.
This seems like the all time worst PR move of all time (or second behind New Coke)
where did you get this information? just curious, it's not that i don't believe you. seriously, i believe you. i promise. (i really do, but this keeps coming out sarcastic, i can't seem to stop it). but really, where did you get this information?
ReplyDeleteSo, does it violate the law if it's not a church function, but the game happens to be shown in the building where a church meets?
ReplyDeleteThe article about the NFL ruling is http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/LOCAL/702020470 and http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070201/25547_NFL_Blocks_Church%27s_Super_Bowl_Party.htm.
This part I would expect and makes sense for a greedy, unconstitutional, entertainment monopoly :
ReplyDelete"We have contracts with our [TV] networks to provide free over-the-air television for people at home," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "The network economics are based on television ratings and at-home viewing. Out-of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen."
But this is what is ridiculous even for a greedy, uncontitutional, entertainment monopoly:
Besides the mentioned faults, the NFL also went on to ban the church’s plan to affect nonmembers with a tape emphasizing the Christian testimonies of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, coaches of the Colts and Bears, respectively.
"While this may be a noble message," NFL assistant counsel Rachel L. Margolies wrote in a follow-up email, "we are consistent in refusing the use of our game broadcasts in connection with events that promote a message, no matter the content."
...unless that message is a 50 million dollar commercial selling our at-home viewers something that they either don't need or is harmful to their health and well-being. Then we have no problem with it."
That's how the rest of that paragraph should have read.
i had some friends get thier party shutdown because of the law. we didnt. hd, projected to a 100in screen. felt like we were there.
ReplyDeleteso, according to the article, sports bars are exempt because they show sporting events year round right? so why not constantly have a television in some obscure room showing a sporting event of some sort. that way, come super bowl time, you can say that you are a sports bar as well as a church.
ReplyDelete