While the NRA continues to run radio ads during the
game broadcasts of a few NFL teams, NFL VP/Communications
Greg Aiello said that the league has "no veto power over
sponsorship of its teams' radio broadcasts and does not take
sides in political issues," according to Kevin Mulligan of
the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Aiello: "The fact that the NRA
has purchased advertising on game broadcasts is not an
endorsement of any kind." Aiello did say that the NFL
"does prohibit associations with sponsors that could affect
the game's integrity, such as casinos." Meanwhile, an
Eagles spokesperson said that the team has "received little
reaction" to the NRA ads, which are "sold independently" by
the Eagles' flagship station, Infinity/CBS-owned WYSP-FM.
WYSP Operations Manager Tim Sabean said that the station has
"received negative and positive feedback regarding" its
association with the NRA and added, "Anyone with an opposing
view is just as welcome to buy [ad] time and express it in
the same manner." Michael Smith, Account Exec at DC-based
Edmonds Associates, the NRA's ad agency, said that he
"expects other Infinity/CBS-owned stations carrying NFL
games to air the spots" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/18).
