Translation: Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Mr. Britt sees that Congress has just given him the magic bullet he has been waiting for in this threatening letter mailed to the NFL. Now he follows up by blasting the league with: “Hey, were not the problem, everyone else can deal with us, why can’t you?”
For several months, cable TV operators have been beaten down by the NFL Network and its publicity machine. The NFL Network has been brazen in their promotion of alternate pay TV sources, such as satellite television. All the while, Time Warner and Comcast have held out, arguing that the NFL Network’s limited schedule of eight games per year was not worth the asking price.
What seemed like the perfect storm for the league, the New England Patriots attempting to complete a perfect season on the NFL’s flagship network, has now gone south. Obviously fans in the region are steamed about the situation, and they have gotten a receptive ear in the form of their elected officials. I speculated earlier that the NFL Network would win out in this dispute, but now the tide has turned.
When governmental officials react to that kind of anger, it certainly changes the whole ballgame for Jerry Jones, Roger Goodell, and the NFL Network.
Article comments
1 - Being used
Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter receive large sums of money from Tine Warner and Comcast and have to give the apperance they care. Do some reserch and see how many of the channels on Basic cable are owned by the cable companies. How many shopping networks do I need. How many channels of programming in languages I don't understand. The NFL network is not without fault in this but at least they have a product that is one of the top rated on tv and most people would like to see. If the Cable companies weren't monopolies in the areas they service this would not be an issue.
2 - Bob Hale
"...So with the ball placed in the NFL’s court,..."
Ummm, isn't that mixing sport-aphors a tad too much? Ball in NFL's COURT??? "In the NFL's red zone.." maybe; or, how about, " in the NFL's end of the field.."..or anything "football-ish"? But, "court"?
Doesn't work.
B. Hale
3 - Larry
It's a shame that an abomination such as the NFL "Network" come along and is keeping me from viewing a regional game?? - how can it be called a network - I know of no local affiliate in my area! - Is the idea of free television and sports viewership going the way of analog tv? Whatever happened to being able to turn on the tube and watching my regional team, (The Patriots), make history by possibly going undefeated??
I think congress should step in like they are with analog television and making digital manditory by 2009 - its being done to make the quality of television better for the viewer - so step in here and make television better for the viewer in this matter already!!!! -- Bye NFL "NOTWORK" - we dont need your- LACK OF BROADCASTING!!
4 - Aaon
Bob-Sorry my "ball in your court" offended you so, but after reviewing your alternatives, I still like mine best :)
Update: Patriots win today, look for lots of scrabling by all of the forces that be to get the game on Time Warner and Comcast. I expect some sort of "goodwill compromise" will come out for "the fans" by next weekend...
5 - George M.
Believe me I'm far from a fan of them, but I support the cable companies 100% in this instance.I am currently a Comcast cable subcriber and I don't want to pay extra for this NFL network. If you want the network than I suggest you buck up and pay the extra premium for the sports package. I have no desire to subsidize your football viewing...I don't think we need another welfare system. If you want the NFL network than pay for it yourself and stop trying to get others to pay for it for you.