SUPREME COURT KEEPS NFL BLACKOUT RULE

     The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to keep the NFL's blackout rule
in place, according to CNBC's Sue Herera.  The Court rejected an
appeal by a group of hearing-impaired fans who say they were
unfairly affected by the rule ("Sports View," CNBC, 12/11).  The
appeal by Thomas Stoutenborough, who is a Browns fan, said he
depends upon TV when the Browns play "because his lack of hearing
rules out radio."  He asked the Court to review his claim that
"home-game TV blackouts discriminate against the disabled."  The
court gave no reason for its ruling, but a lower court had ruled
against Stoutenborough, saying the NFL's rule requiring at TV
blackout of home games not sold out 72 hours before game time is
not a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The
Court ruled blackouts prevent TV for "everyone, including those
who can hear" (Baltimore SUN, 12/12).