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).
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