It appears that the National Football League is more concerned about Nielsen ratings and advertising dollars than making its premiere event family friendly. But I guess we should have figured that out already after the sleazy halftime show and "wardrobe malfunction" several years ago. Not content with ad rates of 2.7 million dollars for a 30 second spot, the NFL wants more.
The NFL is telling Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis that the church's plans to use a wall projector to show the game at a party for church members and guests would violate copyright laws. NFL officials spotted a promotion of Fall Creek's "Super Bowl Bash" on the church Web site last week and sent pastor John D. Newland a letter via FedEx overnight demanding the party be canceled.
The NFL says that the law limits the church to one TV no bigger than 55 inches. The league even took exception to the church's plan to influence nonmembers with a video highlighting the Christian testimonies of Colts coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith. "While this may be a noble message," NFL assistant counsel Rachel L. Margolies wrote in a follow-up e-mail, "we are consistent in refusing the use of our game broadcasts in connection with events that promote a message, no matter the content."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league's longstanding policy is to ban "mass out-of-home viewing" of the Super Bowl. A major exception to the rule is made, however, for sports bars and other businesses that show televised sports as a part of their everyday operations. "We have contracts with our TV networks to provide free over-the-air television for people at home," Aiello said. "The network economics are based on television ratings and at-home viewing. Out-of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen."
So here's the solution. A church can get a liquor license, sell alcoholic drinks and show the Super Bowl on their large screen. But don't you dare allow children and families to come for free to enjoy the game in a family-friendly environment. You may just receive a FedEx cease and desist order with threats of legal action and fines. The NFL proves again that greed knows no limit.
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15
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