WECK: All has been revealed...

[TheBigA]

Could you supply attribution?

OK...how about this:

"Any pictures, descriptions or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent is prohibited."

What will they be doing on this radio show on game day?

 

[SirRoxalot]

Funny. Every sportscast in town manages to mention "Buffalo Bills" and show film clips of major plays. There are limitations, but I don't see how it would prevent them from doing a show. Several other stations in town spend a lot of time talking Bills and Sabres, and some have guests from both teams (who are compensated) discussing the teams with show hosts. They do not pay rights to the Bills or Sabres.

You can't rebroadcast live action, or describe the game in real time. Once it's over, you have the right to cover it as a "event" as long as you don't use original audio or video without permission. Stations frequently obtain permission from the opposing team for broadcast of audio clips.

 

[davideduardo]

Funny. Every sportscast in town manages to mention "Buffalo Bills" and show film clips of major plays. There are limitations, but I don't see how it would prevent them from doing a show.

The NFL and its teams protect the trade and service marks, and they can not be used to name unaffiliated businesses or products.

You can't open a "Buffalo Bills Bar & Grill" without a license. You can't name a program "The Buffalo Bills Whatever" without consent. You can use the name of the team in news reports about the team, but not to brand your own products or services.

 

[TheBigA]

Every sportscast in town manages to mention "Buffalo Bills" and show film clips of major plays. There are limitations, but I don't see how it would prevent them from doing a show.

Sure, they can do a show. But what they can say and how they can say it might be among those limitations. The word "any" is a big word, and covers a lot of ground. The fact that they're using a generic name for the show is good. If they cover a broad range of sports besides one specific NFL team, it'll be good. But as I said, if they go too far, and actually become a threat to the primary station, they may get a letter in the mail.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I'm sure that they'll find plenty to talk about pre-game, and that they'll be careful about using trade and service marks. The people involved are all broadcast vets, and well aware of the ins and outs of the sports business. They may be a threat to the primary station simply because they're more knowledgeable about sports than Schopp and the Bulldog.

 

[Element9]

OK...how about this:

"Any pictures, descriptions or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent is prohibited."

What will they be doing on this radio show on game day?

that applies to the broadcast of the game, as David E notes, and a period immediately thereafter, as implied by contract. For example, at least twelve news and sports organizations have access to the Bills locker room immediately following the game. Only one, WGR, the broadcast rights holder, is permitted to broadcast accounts from the locker room in real time. Nationally, ESPN is contractually restricted from broadcasting accounts of games during the time NBC sports is broadcasting live Sunday night coverage. When WGR, programmed as news radio 55, did not have the rights to the Bills, the slogan "Voice of the Bills Fan" was used on the air and in print. During that time, the station's talk show hosts regularly and fervently talked about the Bills. Other Buffalo television and radio stations, such as presently sports-talk WHLD, engage in "Bills talk." It should be noted, the slogan "voice of the **** fan," has been used by radio stations not having the broadcast rights in reference to major league sports teams.

 

[TheBigA]

It should be noted, the slogan "voice of the **** fan," has been used by radio stations not having the broadcast rights in reference to major league sports teams.

I'm sure you're right. A lot of people cover the Super Bowl. But they have to be careful how they use those two words.