Ok, first, here is the link to the story
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/specials/playoffs/2006/02/01/bc.fbn.superbowl.church.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
Ok, I know what is "right" is viewed differently by different people. I also respect the business rights of the NFL league. I also understand that when it gets to the core; the NFL is a business, plain and simple. I just find it sad that a pure All-American game is not allowed to be shown in churches. Ok, have it be Muslim mosques, Jewish temples, or Christian churches, these places are the cornerstone of our country and a wholesome place for everyday Americans to watch the everyday American game . Yet, the NFL splits hairs and will not allow this because of legal violations. Listen; there are times when companies should bend the rules, especially when no harm and only good can happen. I have been a KC Chiefs fan for 15 years, and as of today I WILL NOT watch one more game or buy any more merchandise.
2007-02-01 07:37:07 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
The NFL won't even allow local TV stations to film their own highlights of their own teams - they must now buy the video from the NFL to show on the news. The NFL is in it for the money, not for public service. I'm not sure why churches would qualify differently than any other organization to be allowed to broadcast without charge, but it's a prime example of the Golden Rule: He with the gold makes the rules.
2007-02-01 07:44:26 · answer #1 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah...I remember that, but it's not just the church, it's anyone who is showing the super-bowl and using the name of the NFL is infringing on their rights because of the copyright laws. So, as a suggestion maybe in the future, the church can make an announcement during services that the congregation can take part in view the 'end season football game' that will be televised. This will not give the hint of infringing on the copyright of the NFL. I know their rules are stupid, and I don't agree with them. Using their name costs people money and that's how they get so rich. As long as the church does not use the NFL name, then the NFL cannot say anything because they cannot take that to court. End of season football game can refer to any game, even that of the church. That would be the only way around it and many public places where I live do the same. Words like "join us for the game celebration." The NFL can't touch that.
2007-02-01 07:52:03 · answer #2 · answered by chole_24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I havent read the link yet so Im going into this question blind. How can they stop it? It is regular TV. If they are not charging to watch it I dont understand. Its TV what next there going to say they cant show games in like Circuit City or Best Buy. Im really getting sick of some of the things the NFL is doing. Im liking arena football a lot nowadays. More scoring and a heck of a lot more action. Fast paced. No three hour game. Im getting twice the action in half the time. And these guys are out there giving it their all because they love the game not because they are getting paid hundreds of millions of dollars. Guess Ill go read the article and come back and add or delete ha ha til then Peace out............Oh looks like were going to break the law this weekend. A friend has a 60" plasma were watching the game on haha. Things like this is a downfall for the sport. Does make me not want to watch the game. Beware its not long til the Super Bowl is on pay per view that is when I wont watch the game. I hope many will just not watch to force it back on regular TV. But I know many will give in because they do it for a silly boxing match. The more we purchase these types of things the more they will charge to see. Me out once again...........We better be careful or we might get sued for using the word SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-02-01 07:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by powerliftingrules 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I do not see this as a church issue. It is a business issue and the NFL is well within their right to ask the church to not violate their long standing rules. If the NFL were to 'over look' this simply because it is a church it would open the doors to any and all other kinds of violations and requests for special treatment. I thought it was interesting that before the NFL noticed what the church was trying to do, the church was going to charge people for this and therefore was trying to prosper financially from an illegal activity. So much for your wholesome place.
2007-02-01 09:02:36 · answer #4 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's fully within their rights, but probably pretty stupid. Particularly when you deal with a church.
However, if you haven't been turned away by sky high ticket prices, PSLs, the fact that more people can get NFL Network games in Canada than in the USA, reading about player arrests every day, etc., I doubt this is doing much to repel you.
I mean, these things anger me, but come Sunday I'll be watching the game. For every person like you that will claim to never watch again, hundreds more will just say "that's stupid" and move on. And among the people that claim they won't watch anymore, I'd guess that most of them will be watching on Sunday. I admire your stance, but the NFL's public actions lately have indicated that they feel that they can do whatever they want and people will still watch. They seem to be right.
2007-02-01 07:55:37 · answer #5 · answered by Sanjay M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I read about it from a topic on here (from someone from Indy), then read the SI story just now. I'm not an expert on the law, but if the signal is over the air, aka - free -- and they're not charging admission anymore or using the wording superbowl --I don't see how the NFL could stop them from doing it. It's very sad because the NFL is one of the few "mainstream" groups that openly "supports" christianity (supports atleast to the extent that they show players and coaches praying on TV ----the rest of the liberal media would NEVER do that!) --yet it's coming down on little churches like this.
I agree that the NFL is pretty evil. I love the players and some of the coaches, but above that ---they're all scum as far as I'm concerned. And unless its' widerspread than I think ---it's not like all churches in America were planning on doing this --they're not losing the amount of viewers they think they are (or they could just be no greedy and carry out what should be their main goal of bringing football to the masses, not just the "elite"). I really hope there's some backlash against them in some form (though, as with most big, megalomaniacal corporations, they'd buy someone off or sweep it under the rug in some fashion). I'd really like to hear the players speak out against this (as most of them grew up Christian and usually poorer than not).
2007-02-01 07:55:32 · answer #6 · answered by Andy T 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Give me a break! I can not understand the NFL's decision to not allow churches to broadcast the Super Bowl. What are they thinking? You would think legal counsel for the NFL would be busy chasing bigger "rabbits" than churches broadcasting the Super Bowl. Think about it for a moment. Hmmm. ..... let's see.....broadcast the Super Bowl at a bar where alcohol flows freely or at a church where Pepsi and Coke flow freely? Get real NFL!! Amazing how money can blur our decisions and cause us to miss the real message. Churches use the broadcasts as a social event and most charge a fee for entry which is used to cover costs of food. Sound familiar? Local bar is open for business and broadcasts the Super Bowl on numerous TVs while charging for food. Yes, I know. Churches are not for profit organizations and bars are FOR profit. So what? The NFL must be in dire financial straits if they feel threatened by a small group of men gathering at their local church to watch the Super Bowl. Oh, and by the way, our local church cancelled their plans for their Super Bowl party out of respect for the NFL's announcement. Too bad, the plans included playing videos of Shawn Alexander and Tony Dungy speaking about how their faith made a REAL difference in their family and their day to day lives. Plus, we invite other men who may be going through difficult times personally and who learn there is true HOPE in a world that seems so dismal. In my mind, the NFL has now joined the moral ranks of the WWF with their decision. From my home, I will still enjoy the Super Bowl. But, I will be sure to note each advertiser and let them know of our family's distaste with such a ridiculous decision.
2007-02-04 05:06:46 · answer #7 · answered by G Johnson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wonderful question and I have enjoyed reading all the input.
There is no way the NFL can do that. People get together and watch big screen tv's in homes and churches and public places. There is no way most of us can ever buy a ticket to the game.
Personally, I have a 57 inch tv and we are having a Family Super Bowl Party!
Reckon, the NFL will frown upon that too?
You all come on over to my house in Knoxville, Tn cause we just love Peyton here. GO COLTS!!!!
2007-02-01 17:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with churches in general. Its about how many people are congregating, and how big, and how many T.V.s they have. Technically by NFL standards some super bowl parties would be illegal. I hate that people do not know what they are talking about! Thats silly. I hate false information! NFL has NOTHING against churches. If the NFL bends the rules for churches, then they would have to bend the rules for others, or its not fair. The NFL is a business, and has rules they have to follow.
2007-02-01 08:34:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I just heard on our local news that unless a business is isssued a NFL license they cant even use the words SUPER BOWL in an advertisement...they have to say something like the BIG GAME
2007-02-01 07:47:24 · answer #10 · answered by shorty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋