As part of the NFL's '98-99 TV deal, the league has cut
the number of sponsored vignettes during breaks in game
action and BUSINESS WEEK's Lorraine Woellert reports the
spots, such as the "Aflac Trivia Question" and McDonald's
"Game Break," will be limited to run only before and after
games or during halftime. McDonald's says it is reviewing
the new rule and doesn't know what will become of its "Game
Break." Neither Fox nor ABC would comment, but sources say
they will be given extra commercial spots worth up to $1M a
game to help make up for lost revenue (BUSINESS WEEK, 6/29).
SING, SING A SONG: Several NFL players, including Jerry
Rice, Danny Kanell, Jeff Blake and Henry Thomas, have
recorded "We're All In This Together," which celebrates the
25th anniversary of the league's relationship with the
United Way. Joining the players were musicians Isaac Hayes,
SWV and Faith Evans. The song, produced by eMusic, will
appear on two albums, "NFL Country," and "NFL Jams," due out
in September with a portion of the proceeds going to the
United Way (Jeff Goldberg, HARTFORD COURANT, 6/28).