ESPN.com's David Purdum cited sources as saying that a congressional hearing on sports betting is "being scheduled for next week" in DC, with the NFL "among those invited to testify." The House Judiciary Committee will "tentatively hold the hearing June 26, unless circumstances force it to be rescheduled." The NFL was "one of five plaintiffs in a suit against New Jersey's efforts to allow legal sports betting at the state's casinos and racetracks." The NFL said that it would "look to Congress to create a framework for sports betting." The league has "been working with" the office of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) (ESPN.com, 6/19).
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: In San Jose, Elliott Almond reports NFL officials have "approved the use of game footage for a film 49ers players made 30 years ago as a tribute to three alumni who died from ALS." The campaign ended in '90 when the film's producer Julia Hutton "couldn't get permission to use any game footage or photographs for a project to honor Matt Hazeltine, Gary Lewis and Bob Waters," teammates in the '60s who died from ALS in the late '80s. A recent story "highlighting the mystery surrounding the players' deaths and the forgotten VHS tapes prompted NFL officials to revisit their original decision" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 6/20).
IF IT AIN'T BROKE...: In Orlando, Iliana Limon Romero reports the NFL is keeping the Pro Bowl "at Camping World Stadium for another year." The league recently "picked up the third year option on the agreement with Orlando officials" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/20).
