Hatch Wins! Churches Can Televise Super Bowls

In response to a letter from U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the National Football League (NFL) has voluntarily agreed to let religious organizations televise the Super Bowl for congregational parties. Sen. Hatch sent his letter after hearing reports that the NFL had challenged the legal right of a number of churches to televise the recent Super Bowl on big-screen TVs for their members. "In essence," stated Hatch's office in a press release, "this provides churches the same right as sports bars."

On Feb. 1, the Washington Post reported that the NFL had contacted several churches to advise them that televising the Super Bowl on big-screen TVs at churches violated the NFL's copyright. "I am very concerned by this report," wrote Sen. Hatch in his letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "While I would like a detailed briefing on this matter, there are a number of questions I would like you to answer prior to formal Senate consideration of this issue."

Clearly not wanting "formal Senate consideration" of the issue, Commissioner Goodell responded after further review that as long as the showings are free and conducted on church property, it would not object to churches televising the next and all future Super Bowls -- regardless of TV screen size. In addition, Commissioner Goodell assured Sen. Hatch that the Senate did not need to pass any nasty old laws regarding the NFL's television copyright.

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