The NFL "has gone to court to stop" Pittsburgh Brewing
from using references to the Steelers and Browns in its beer
can design and advertising, according to Kris Mamula of the
Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW. Pittsburgh Brewing, maker of
Iron City beer, has begun rolling out a commemorative can
"recalling the intense rivalry" between the two teams.
Almost 600 cases of the "Turnpike Series" cans were sold in
OH during the first five days of its release in August. The
brewer said that 6,700 cases were to be distributed in
western PA. U.S. District Court Judge Donetta Ambrose is
scheduled to meet with both the league and the brewer on
Friday. The NFL has asked Ambrose to "cite Pittsburgh
Brewing for contempt of court" for violating a '96
settlement prohibiting the brewer from creating a
"commercial impression" of an affiliation to the NFL or any
of its teams. It also is seeking damages "equal to triple
the profits" the brewer has made from the campaign
(Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/11). The Iron City beer cans
feature the likenesses of both team's logo and the words,
"The Rivalry Rocks Again in '99" (THE DAILY).
