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Tag(s): Congress; Congressional Committees; Congressional Coverups; Congressional Hearings; Football; History; Media; Money; People; Sports; (more...) World (less...)
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December 24, 2007 at 16:17:35

Congress Challenges NFL Network

by David Patterson Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Congress this week questioned the NFL's intention to broadcast the Patriots v Giants game solely on their network the last week of the regular season. To be fair, when the NFL network picked this game no one knew that the Patriots would probably be playing for history as the first undefeated football team since the Dolphins back in the 70's.

But here we are and now obviously football fans all over the world now want to watch this game. But as it is, won't be able to due to the limited coverage of the NFL Network and all the high profile disputes with the Cable providers. So WOW!! Congress is intervening on behalf of the people for once, right? Well maybe, but I'm sure only indirectly. The fact is Congress is only intervening on behalf of the Corporate Sponsors and the Major Broadcast Networks who all want this Audience for what would certainly be a highly rated or viewed contest. Congress has threatened the NFL's Anti Trust exemption.

This will probably be enough to get the NFL Network to capitulate to the demands of the Major Media and their corporate sponsors. Though they will all wait to see if the New England Patriots are indeed playing for an undefeated season as they must play the 1-13 Dolphins this weekend. Most feel that barring a nuclear attack or an alien invasion, the Patriots will indeed be playing for this special place in sports history.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. We are talking huge money here in ad revenues for the major broadcast network selected and the corporate sponsors who will be selling their wares. I suppose as one of the little guy football fans out here I will be rooting for corporate money this time around. Still, I won't be fooled that they are all doing this for little old me. We all know better.

Really I only want to be able to watch this game. At this point I don't care how. Even though there is really no doubt how this game will end either. The New York (Jersey) Giants can't even carry the Patriot's equipment bags. But how often do you get a chance to watch special history being made?

http://blog.myspace.com/hosshoss777

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6 comments

Retired Army, Retired RN,Yellow Dog Democrat from a long Yankee line of Democratic Voters, parent of a wonderful Pomeranian!
shantiRetired Army, Retired RN,Yellow Dog Democrat from a long Yankee line of Democratic Voters, parent of a wonderful Pomeranian!

Aren't there more important

things in the world to be concerned about? (And before you jump on me I am a New Englander and a Patriot fan for as long as I knew football existed and I am 56.) With all the crap happening I find it ridiculous the things that Congress gets involved in.

by shanti (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 38 comments) on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 7:00:57 PM

I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor
"Hoss" David P.I am a simple man of eclectic interests and tastes with no particular academic credentials. I still perceive, think, read and write somewhat. Writing music is a hobby of mine

banned for abusive email to an editor

Don't You Get It?

There is nothing more important to our Congress people than their CORPORATE MASTERS

They say Jump, Congress says "How High?"

This is just one more example.

by "Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments) on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 7:21:19 PM

I'm a retired person from the construction industry, covering more then I'd like to list. My hobbies are building anything that looks interesting. Football is my fav. sport with the Sleelers my team. My best fun is watching our local Div. 3 football team, The Mount Union Purple Raiders. I'm long time married and my passion today is making every effort to convince people that they may be supporting the wrong person. My favorite music is what people call Jazz and old rock and roll. My ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
drasileI'm a retired person from the construction industry, covering more then I'd like to list. My hobbies are building anything that looks interesting. Football is my fav. sport with the Sleelers my team. My best fun is watching our local Div. 3 football team, The Mount Union Purple Raiders. I'm long time married and my passion today is making every effort to convince people that they may be supporting the wrong person. My favorite music is what people call Jazz and old rock and roll. My ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Not the NFL Network

You don't get it at all and neither do most of the commentary. Congress threatened the NFL, not the upstart NFLnetwork. The network is getting more then they expected with the publicly.
True fans expect nothing from congress, not anything more then any other subject that they blow hot air at and in the end do nothing at all. That’s what we pay them for, to do nothing or very little.
What the true football fan knows is that all of big time football is leading us to "pay to watch". The sport doesn’t need another network and it sure as hell doesn’t need an NFL game on Thursdays. As the players and owners about playing on Thursdays. Now take the Big Ten Network, it is different because it will never sell because the Big Ten doesn’t have the Blackout Power that the NFL has.
If you check the whole seasons broadcast that the NFLnetwork had this year you will find it very interesting when you notice how the games that they happened to have on were in areas that the Cable Supplier just happened to be standing up to the extra charge that the NFLnetwork would be passing onto the viewer and the only way to watch your hometeam was to find a supplier other then the licensed cable supplier in your area.
This is where the customer is being screwed. I’m sure that the FCC or the NFL can’t be sitting on their hands while an upstart TV network tells the public what to watch on TV or even to change their supplier.
Personally I watch enough football and besides I don’t like the amateurish announcers that they throw at us. When I get blacked out I listen to my team on the Radio and the NFLnetwork can kiss my behind. Besides when it comes down to paying extar to watch a football game I'll start attending local college games and leave the NFL run the same route that Boxing did.

by drasile (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 77 comments) on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 12:41:07 PM

You're right, but,,,

If Congress does intervene, and right now it's looks like they won't, it wouldn't be for the so called TV watching football fan, It would be for the Major Broadcast Networks who would like to get the revenues from this what would sure to be a highly watched watched Game. You would think this would come down to which special interest had the most clout. Perhaps the real battle is being saved for another day.

I appreciate your comment and the futhering along of my understanding of this stand off.

I'm not unaware of our grand standing Congress.

by "Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments) on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 1:00:49 PM

THE Game will be on!!!!

Yahoo Sports has an article this comment won't let me post the link. But,

It seems we'll all be able to watch this game afterall. I'm glad and "they" even said they're doing this for us the Football TV fans all across this great nation. NBC & CBS will carry the NFL Network feed.

Now, let's see if my last prediction comes through, PATS will go 16-0 for the regular seson.

The Playoffs, we'll have to see as there are several teams getting hot at just the right moment. But you have to like the PATS chances.

Though the COLTS-JAGUARS and CHARGERS are all heating up in time for these AFC playoffs

by "Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments) on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 9:24:07 PM