Legal News

NFL: Let Them Watch Football in Church

By Dan Slater

Good news for church-going football fans! Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has ordained that church members can view the Super Bowl in — where else? — church. Click here for the WaPo story.

This marks a change of course for the league which, until now, had a restriction that limited TV screens to 55″ at public viewings, except at venues like bars and restaurants that regularly broadcast sporting events. According to this pre-2008 Super Bowl story in the WSJ, airing the big game at events which promote a message, even a religious message, was verboten. Reportedly, in past years NFL lawyers had sent out cease-and-desist letters, and hired undercover investigators to dress as fans and attend parties at churches, movie theaters, casinos and even the New England Aquarium.

But it seems the league has had a change of heart. In a Feb. 19th letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who on behalf of conservatives had led the charge against the NFL Commissioner Goodell, a would-be lawyer, said that, beginning with next year’s Super Bowl, the league would not object to “live showings — regardless of screen size — of the Super Bowl” by religious organizations.

In a statement, Hatch expressed gratitude. “Many families want to enjoy the Super Bowl in a group atmosphere — but obviously aren’t going to take their kids to a sports bar.”

Law Blog YouTube Video of the Day: Due to the league’s copyright-enforcement policy, it’s hard, if not impossible, to get NFL clips on YouTube. So instead we’ll bring you this: the stirring opening credits from the possibly-soon-to-be-departed TV show, Friday Night Lights. If it’s the end, well, let’s just say, Tim Riggins, Lila Garrity and the rest, you were just (sniff!) too good for this world.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on February 21, 2008 (boomark / email).