On With The Show: Some Religous Houses Challange NFL Rule

While some religious centers across the country canceled Super Bowl parties after the NFL stopped a planned party at an Indianapolis church, many religious groups “went ahead with their plans, not knowing -– or, in some cases, not caring –- that the NFL bars public venues from displaying games on big screens,” according to Jennifer Maloney of NEWSDAY. NFL guidelines prohibit venues from charging admission to watch the Super Bowl, displaying the game on a TV screen larger than 55 inches or using the copyrighted name “Super Bowl” to promote a gathering. Rabbi David Nesenoff, whose synagogue did not charge admission to its party, said of using the Super Bowl name on the synagogue’s Web site, “I think we did that.” NFL VP/PR Greg Aiello said that NFL officials have talked to “hundreds of churches in the past.” Aiello: “They say ‘Thanks’ and they have their Super Bowl viewing parties within the rules.” But Maloney notes the Zion Cathedral Church of God was planning a Super Bowl event with the game projected on two 10-by-10-foot screens. When told the event “could be illegal,” the church’s pastor, Bishop Frank White said that it would “continue as planned” (NEWSDAY, 2/5).

ELSEWHERE: In Indianapolis, Robert King notes more than 400 people gathered for a viewing party at Second Baptist Church that featured a 12-by-12-foot screen. Rev. David Greene said, “We need to communicate to our young fellas that for some things you believe in, you need to take a stand.” But the Brandywine Community Church, which expected more than 400 people for its annual party, canceled the event after statements from the NFL. At Friendship Baptist they changed the name of the event from “Super Bowl” party to “Victory Party.” The church also scaled down the size of the screen they showed the game on to 55 inches (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/5). In Louisville, Joseph Gerth writes the Southeast Christian Church showed the Super Bowl on a 55-inch picture in the center of a 100-inch screen. Minister Jeff Ballard estimated the crowd at about 250, “roughly half the number that showed up at last year’s party” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 2/5).