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02/03/2007: "The No Fun League Strikes Back"
NFL sacks church Super Bowl parties
The National Football League is throwing a penalty flag on churches planning to show the Super Bowl during parties on Super Sunday.
NFL PARTY RULES
For groups that want to host "mass out-of-home" Super Bowl parties -- other than sports bars and businesses that normally televise sports -- here are rules the NFL says must be followed:
No admission fees (even to pay for snacks).
Only one television (55 inches or smaller).
No use of the words "Super Bowl" in promotional materials.
No exhibition of the game in connection with events "that promote a message."
Source: NFL, from The Indianapolis Star
I was shocked at first to hear that the NFL was going after churches hosting Super Bowl viewing parties. It seems rather hypcritical that bars and restaurants could show it with no problem, but not large gatherings of citizens in general. However, it seemed absurd that the Super Bowl police would come knocking on our doors.
After thinking about the actual policy for a while, here are my conclusions:
1. Charging admission is a fairly normal part of life. It ensures that all of the financial burden is not thrown upon a few individuals. Still, Bring Your Own Snacks seems like a better option, and not directly attackable.
2. Even though we take the Super Bowl name for granted, it is protected by the National Football League. Yes, technically, we should not use the name in conjunction with organized parties. It's probably the same with the Orange Bowl or the Rose Bowl. However, it would be dorky to advertise "the Chicago and Indianapolis Game Viewing Party." It leaves one feeling a bit empty about the whole thing. It's a Super Bowl party, there is no getting around it.
3. I understand that the NFL wants to ban the use of large screens to view the Super Bowl because they cannot make money that way. You cannot track households when they are all gathered together watching a large screen television. Still, it seems like squeezing blood from a turnip. It's frustrating to know that even though the game is broadcast for free over the airwaves, there are still limitations to how we use the signal.
4. I am sure that the NFL is trying to protect its image by preventing having the Super Bowl associated with "message" events. However, how many people are not smart enough to realize that an evangelical message given at a church is not sponsored by the NFL? The same thing would go for any type of motivational message, Amway meeting, or political rally. Would any person really believe that pro football was trying to get a few more people in your downline business?
I am a bit confused why the NFL considers the Super Bowl differently than any other game it broadcasts. It is the money and ratings and exposure?
We won't be breaking any rules tomorrow night at church where we will watch the game in the Youth Room. No admission fee charged, no TV larger than 55 inches, and Pastor Nick won't even be giving a message. So, we will be legal.
