Interesting article: http://news.officialwire.com/main.ph...ews&rid=225423
In short, before Nixon signed the legislation that we have today (where games that aren't sold out 72 hours beforehand are blacked out) the NFL blacked out ALL local games (including playoffs) even if they were sold out.
-Bill
The league had predicted that broadcasting home games would hurt attendance, and Rozelle repeated his oft-stated fear of pro football becoming a "studio show." As Congress considered legislation the following year to lift the blackout, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson wrote Nixon on Aug. 2, 1973, that "lifting of the 'blackout' on sold-out games poses perhaps the most serious threat to the over-all well-being of professional football that it has faced in recent history."
But Congress did pass legislation the following month preventing blackouts of professional sports games that are sold out 72 hours beforehand. Nixon signed it in time for the 1973 season.
But Congress did pass legislation the following month preventing blackouts of professional sports games that are sold out 72 hours beforehand. Nixon signed it in time for the 1973 season.
-Bill
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