NFL’s S—- B— megalomania
If you watch TV or listen to the radio this week, you might find it odd that hardly is talking about the S**** B***. Yes, you will hear references to the “big game,” or the “NFL championship” (except on CBS, which is broadcasting the S**** B***). But you will hear no mention of sales on new TV on which you can watch the S**** B***, or advertising for anyone who is hosting a S**** B*** party.
The reason, of course, is that the NFL has decided to pursue with nose tackle-like force anyone who utters or writes the words “S**** B***®” without paying a licensing fee.
In the past, rabid NFL lawyers (or more specifically, four law firms it has unleashed) have gone after anyone – even churches who announced plans for an afternoon of fellowship while watching the S**** B*** game. In 2007, the NFL went so far as trying to usurp the words “big game” in a trademark claim – but fortunately that heavy-handed legal maneuver failed. (One other warning, from the over-lawyered league: if you are watching the S**** B*** on a screen that is larger than 55”, you may be in violation of the copyright claimed by the NFL.)
One irony is that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is married to a television news broadcaster. I wonder – when they’re conversing over dinner, whether he refers to it as the big game, the NFL championship, or the S**** B***?
