NFL vs. Churches

Friday, February 2nd 2007, 9:08 pm

By: News On 6

Sundays are known for two popular traditions, the Super Bowl and church services. But when an Indianapolis church tried to show the big game for parishioners, the NFL tackled their plans. The National Football League says showing the game on a screen bigger than 55-inches is a penalty. Several local churches have Super Bowl plans, and News on 6 reporter Omar Villafranca reports the NFL may be off sides.

Roger Nix plans to watch the Super Bowl on two big screens with 800 of his closest friends at Believers Church. The NFL blew the whistle on a church in Indianapolis already.

Nix says it's not the actual game that makes Super Bowl Sunday so special.

"What makes the Super Bowl successful is the food and fellowship, family and friends gathering around it, so let's face it, without the food and the fellowship, it's just another football game," Roger Nix with Believers Church said. â€œIt seems a little over the top to me, I think the motivation behind it, seems to me, that they can gain more money for their advertising dollars."

Roger's right. The NFL says this modern day David and Goliath story comes down to dollars and cents. The more people watching on more TV's, the more money the Super Bowl will earn.

Several dozen people will fill a room at Believers Church to watch the Super Bowl on a big screen. The NFL has a problem with that, but the league doesn't have a problem with people watching the game at a sports bar.

Wayne Minshall at â€œSidelines Sports Barâ€ says he doesn't have a problem with a church showing the game. It won't hurt his sales.

"Most Christian folks drink very little, so, we're more interested in getting people down to have a drink here at sidelines," bartender Wayne Minshall said.

But as a businessman, he understands the NFL's policy.
"Obviously, they want all the poker chips, so kudos to the NFL," Minshall said.

The church in Indianapolis did cancel their Super Bowl Watch Party. Tulsa churches don't have plans to cancel their plans.

You can watch the game right here on Channel 6; kickoff is at 5:25 p.m.