NFL Network flap may jeopardize league's antitrust exemption

[WoodysGirl]

Senators threaten to take away protection if games aren't available to wider audience


Associated Press

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WAHINGTON — Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the NFL on Wednesday threatening to reconsider the league's antitrust exemption if it doesn't make games on the NFL Network available to more viewers.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., expressed concern that many fans in their home states will not be able to see games on the channel involving the New England Patriots or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Leahy is the committee's chairman, and Specter is its ranking member.

"Now that the NFL is adopting strategies to limit distribution of game programming to their own networks," they wrote, "Congress may need to reexamine the need and desirability of their continued exemption from the Nation's antitrust laws."

Eight games air this season on the NFL Network, which is available in fewer than 40 percent of the nation's homes with televisions. The league has been feuding with several major cable companies over whether they should carry the channel as part of a basic package.

Games are simulcast on free TV locally for each team, but that doesn't include regional markets such as Vermont for the Patriots or parts of Pennsylvania for the Steelers. NFL officials have repeatedly said they will not agree to any distribution arrangement that only involves games and not year-round broadcast of the channel.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5391680.html

 

[Hoofbite]

Something needs to be done. The NFL is too damn greedy for their own good.

 

[Idgit]

What's a decent Senator cost these days? Or if I can't get a decent one, what'll it take to get a couple of corrupt ones from either side of the aisle?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What's a decent Senator cost these days?

Oxymoron.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

Out of curiosity, how many here think that the NFL should have its own network to begin with. It does seem like a monopolistic advantage for your network, when other networks spends money on billion dollar contracts.

 

[Wolfpack]

Out of curiosity, how many here think that the NFL should have its own network to begin with. It does seem like a monopolistic advantage for your network, when other networks spends money on billion dollar contracts.

Thats really the whole point of this.

Big shot across the bow of the SS NFL here.

 

[theogt]

Uh oh...looks like the cable companies know how to rent seek as well.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

This is BS. We live in a free market society. The government has no place getting involved in this. If the NFL wants to show certain games on their network then so be it. Let the public vote with their wallet and go from there.

If there is a big enough outcry from the fans the cable companies will pick it up. If they lose subscribers to Dish and DTV, they will change. If not, then the NFL will bow to the pressure and they will allow the games.

It really is that simple.

Let the MARKET do the talking.

 

[theogt]

This is BS. We live in a free market society. The government has no place getting involved in this. If the NFL wants to show certain games on their network then so be it. Let the public vote with their wallet and go from there.

If there is a big enough outcry from the fans the cable companies will pick it up. If they lose subscribers to Dish and DTV, they will change. If not, then the NFL will bow to the pressure and they will allow the games.

It really is that simple.

Let the MARKET do the talking.

Well, yes, we live in a free market society. But free markets can and do have flaws, such as monopolies. Even the most ardent free marketeer admits that. The negative impact monopolies have on pricing and access to the market forces government regulation to prevent such harm.

 

[Robbieac]

These idiot senators need to keep their dirty hands out of this. The NFL is an entertainment business, and they have the right to do whatever it is that want with their product.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Exactly. These guys didn't care at all about this until they realized they might miss the Pats and Giants game.

So they threaten antitrust protection because of it? Complete chicken****.

 

[Dallas]

Well, yes, we live in a free market society. But free markets can and do have flaws, such as monopolies. Even the most ardent free marketeer admits that. The negative impact monopolies have on pricing and access to the market forces government regulation to prevent such harm.

Exactly. What's to stop the NFL network from bringing all of the games to it's own network later as it grows?

I could easily see this happening after contracts w/ the other networks run out. You know ESPN/CBS/FOX are making far more than what they pay for these games.

I don't know. Personally, I think the NFL as a whole is far to greedy right now. Nobody is saying not to make any money but there needs to be some solid lines drawn as to just how far the NFL wants to take it fledgling network.

If they want to compete w/ the big boy networks, then I am all for the gloves coming off and them being held to the antitrust laws like the other networks have to abide by.

These 2 senators actually raise a good point.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

These idiot senators need to keep their dirty hands out of this. The NFL is an entertainment business, and they have the right to do whatever it is that want with their product.

No they don't... Not with everything.

The NFL has certain protections that many other types of entertainment do not.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Well, yes, we live in a free market society. But free markets can and do have flaws, such as monopolies. Even the most ardent free marketeer admits that. The negative impact monopolies have on pricing and access to the market forces government regulation to prevent such harm.

Explain the monopoly the NFL has?

They are only one league. There is still arena Football. College football and Canadian Football. The deal is that the networks WANT to carry the NFL's product. Even with the challenges to the NFL in recent years such as the XFL and such, the the networks carried their games. The NFL didn't say they couldn't or they would lose rights to the NFL.

Also, The NFL has a right to say how their product is marketed. They have the right to say they don't want it to be made a separate service but should be included just like ESPN is.

The government has no right to tell the NFL who is allowed to carry their product.

Would you be all for the government telling Wal Mart they HAVE to carry Ipods? IF Wal Mart is smart they will, but they shouldn't be forced to and Apple shouldn't be told that they have to sell it to Wal Mart if Wal Mart doesn't display them the way Apple wants. It's called Free Market.

 

[Dallas]

Exactly. These guys didn't care at all about this until they realized they might miss the Pats and Giants game.

So they threaten antitrust protection because of it? Complete chicken****.

Oh give us a break already. It's not like 2 senators are pushing all of the imprtant stuff aside so that they can complain about missing one flippin game.

You honestly don't believe that? Well I hope you don't anyways.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Where'd I say they were pushing aside the important business of the country to do this?

Of course they weren't. But why didn't they start rattling the sabers when Houston fans couldn't see a game? Or Denver fans? Or for that matter, Cowboys and GB fans?

Because their market is now involved. So suddenly they care and are going to threaten people? That's a chicken**** move.

 

[Dallas]

Where'd I say they were pushing aside the important business of the country to do this?

Of course they weren't. But why didn't they start rattling the sabers when Houston fans couldn't see a game? Or Denver fans? Or for that matter, Cowboys and GB fans?

Because their market is now involved. So suddenly they care and are going to threaten people? That's a chicken**** move.

They actually have been. I personally have read a few articles a month or so ago about Spectre doing this very thing. Other senators also. Not just the one's being named. Many people have complained to his/her own senators over this nonsense.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Explain the monopoly the NFL has?

They are only one league. There is still arena Football. College football and Canadian Football. The deal is that the networks WANT to carry the NFL's product. Even with the challenges to the NFL in recent years such as the XFL and such, the the networks carried their games. The NFL didn't say they couldn't or they would lose rights to the NFL.

Also, The NFL has a right to say how their product is marketed. They have the right to say they don't want it to be made a separate service but should be included just like ESPN is.

The government has no right to tell the NFL who is allowed to carry their product.

Would you be all for the government telling Wal Mart they HAVE to carry Ipods? IF Wal Mart is smart they will, but they shouldn't be forced to and Apple shouldn't be told that they have to sell it to Wal Mart if Wal Mart doesn't display them the way Apple wants. It's called Free Market.

The NFL is exempt from anti-trust laws.

That in itself is a big deal.

 

[Dallas]

The NFL is exempt from anti-trust laws.

I think some need to brush up on anti-trust laws and how they impact a business.

Then operate a business w/o having to stick to them.

It's day and night.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

The NFL is exempt from anti-trust laws.

That in itself is a big deal.

I didn't say anything about that. I said where's the monopoly?