As Both Sides Refuse to Compromise, Senator John Kerry Presses Urgency of Cable-NFL Deal

Tells Both Parties His Offer Still Stands

12/18/2007 -- WASHINGTON DC – Senator John Kerry sent a letter to National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and cable executives from Time Warner and Comcast today, regarding their reluctance to come to Washington and reach an agreement that would broaden access to the December 29th Patriots-Giants game. The two parties are currently engaged in corporate cable negotiations that, if left unsettled, will block millions of fans across the country from being able to view the game without paying extra for a premium tier package on the NFL Network. Kerry urged both parties to come to an agreement in a swift manner, and told them that his offer to host a meeting in Washington still stands.

“It will be a dark day for professional sports if the powers that be fail to make this game available to football fans across the country, let alone the local fan base which extends beyond the teams’ home cities,” said Kerry. “The Patriots have the potential to make history later this month, but today only 40 percent of homes will be able to watch it happen. Today, money threatens to keep fans in the dark, and that’s a damn shame for a league that built an empire and a fan base on free access to games.”

Recently, Kerry wrote to cable and the NFL and asked that the two sides come to an agreement quickly to ensure that fans across the country are able to tune in to this potentially historic football game. The Patriots are on track to finish the season as the first team to go undefeated since the Miami Dolphins accomplished the feat in 1972.

Kerry has strongly advocated for sports fans in the past, most recently when he held a hearing on a similar deal between Major League Baseball and major cable corporations earlier this year. The companies eventually reached a deal that accommodated fans.

Below is the text of Kerry’s letters:

December 18, 2007
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Commissioner Goodell,

Thank you for your prompt response to my letter dated December 12th. Unfortunately, the NFL, Time Warner, and Comcast all expressed little interest in convening a meeting to discuss the December 29th game between the New York Giants and the still-perfect New England Patriots and how that game might be broadcast to the maximum number of fans across the country. As I stated in my initial letter, I have no intention of interfering in longstanding negotiations between commercial interests. The NFL’s offer to negotiate immediately “anytime, anywhere” for a long-term solution to this stalemate is appreciated; however, I believe such a negotiation should occur beyond the halls of Congress. I remain unconvinced that either side is willing to negotiate with the sense of urgency that is necessary to ensure broad access to this game.

Despite your reluctance to meet regarding these unique circumstances, the proposals put forward by Time Warner and Comcast provide encouragement that a deal can be brokered, ensuring access from fans across the country to this potentially historic game. My offer to host a meeting between all parties still stands. I sincerely hope that the NFL realizes the value in providing the broadest possible access to a game of this magnitude, and that proprietary interests can be set aside for one day in the interest of football fans everywhere.

Sincerely,
John F. Kerry

December 18, 2007
Mr. David L. Cohen
Executive Vice President
Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Dear Mr. Cohen,

Thank you for your prompt response to my letter dated December 12th. Unfortunately, the NFL, Time Warner, and Comcast all expressed little interest in convening a meeting to discuss the December 29th game between the New York Giants and the still-perfect New England Patriots and how that game might be broadcast to the maximum number of fans across the country. As I stated in my initial letter, I have no intention of interfering in longstanding negotiations between commercial interests. The NFL’s offer to negotiate immediately “anytime, anywhere” for a long-term solution to this stalemate is appreciated; however, I believe such a negotiation should occur beyond the halls of Congress. I remain unconvinced that either side is willing to negotiate with the sense of urgency that is necessary to ensure broad access to this game.

Despite your reluctance to meet regarding these unique circumstances, the proposals put forward by Time Warner and Comcast provide encouragement that a deal can be brokered, ensuring access from fans across the country to this potentially historic game. My offer to host a meeting between all parties still stands. I sincerely hope that the NFL realizes the value in providing the broadest possible access to a game of this magnitude, and that proprietary interests can be set aside for one day in the interest of football fans everywhere.

Sincerely,
John F. Kerry

December 18, 2007
Mr. Glenn Britt
President
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
One Time Warner Center
North Tower, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10019

Dear Mr. Britt,

Thank you for your prompt response to my letter dated December 12th. Unfortunately, the NFL, Time Warner, and Comcast all expressed little interest in convening a meeting to discuss the December 29th game between the New York Giants and the still-perfect New England Patriots and how that game might be broadcast to the maximum number of fans across the country. As I stated in my initial letter, I have no intention of interfering in longstanding negotiations between commercial interests. The NFL’s offer to negotiate immediately “anytime, anywhere” for a long-term solution to this stalemate is appreciated; however, I believe such a negotiation should occur beyond the halls of Congress. I remain unconvinced that either side is willing to negotiate with the sense of urgency that is necessary to ensure broad access to this game.

Despite your reluctance to meet regarding these unique circumstances, the proposals put forward by Time Warner and Comcast provide encouragement that a deal can be brokered, ensuring access from fans across the country to this potentially historic game. My offer to host a meeting between all parties still stands. I sincerely hope that the NFL realizes the value in providing the broadest possible access to a game of this magnitude, and that proprietary interests can be set aside for one day in the interest of football fans everywhere.

Sincerely,
John F. Kerry

Source: Senator John Kerry

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