No joke. I was looking for a Sports Business journal to subscribe to for our classes and I somehow came across an article on Howard Bloom's Sports Business News journal that CBS is suing the NFL players assocation (NFLPA) for their demanding that CBS pay licensing fees to them for using their names and stats in Fantasy Football leagues. CBS claims that the players association is violating anti-trust laws.
I would like all students in Sports Management and Sports Marketing to Read the article here!
This is very interesting being that CBS not only broadcasts 100+ games a year with the NFL but also that if the NFLPA is able to pull this off, they will be entitled to some sort of fee that will definitely cut into the $500 million of revenue that they make on Fantasy Football per year. Imagine if this sets a precedent for Fantasy Football leagues (which are used by 19.2 million people per season)???!!!!! If CBS gets clipped on this, imagine what other sites may be next. Could this mark the end of all free fantasy football leagues forever???
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Since we have been spending much time on Fantasy Football these past couple of days, I would like you to interact with this article here on the blog by making a few comments on this post. Your commented response to this post is due by Tuesday 9/9. Be sure to include your opinion of this article and which side you favor. Remember to use the correct posting format (First Name, First Initial of Last Name, Period#).
In the meantime, I'll be looking for a lawyer...just in case...
Be good-
Mr. E
Posts
53 comments:
Mr. Elsesser,
Your blog looks great! Keep up the good work.
And, my fellow Jet's fans... A win is a win. Favre showed a lot of moxy today. Hat tip to Darrelle Revis for the 'walk-off' interception. Sorry, Penny...
Brady maybe out? Favre's home-opener... SuperChargers lose... I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but I'm making an early prediction that we go into the week 4 bye 3-0...
Zach M. Period 4
I think that the NFLPA has the right to sue CBS. The statistics of their players are the property of the NFL. I think they have the right to charge because it's their company.
Mat R. period 4
I think CBS should be free to use the players stats. They should be able to use them without a charge.
I think CBS should be able to use the stats because the stats can be used anywhere.
Stephanie B. period#5
Even though i don't know alot about football or fantasy football i dont think that CBS should be sued because people just enjoy playing fantasy football and everyone is always going to see the players stats anyway.
Alon F. period 2
I think that the NFLPA should sue CBS. The NFL owns the all the players and their respective stats. I think the NFLPA should collect licensing fees from CBS because of this.
Jonathan, S, Period 5
I don't think think the NFLPA has the right to sue CBS. Information is not something someone has rights to. All Fantasy Football does is allow players to names and stats that players have. They should be able to do that without paying for it.
Jake M. Period 5
I dont think that CBS should be sued because you can find players stats anywhere. This would also be a bad choice for the NFLPA financially because so many people go on CBS specifically just to play Fantasy Football. If they took away Fantasy Football from CBS you couldn't imagine how much money they would lose. It would also not kill them just to give them a little money to, because they are making so much money off their website from people playing Fantasy Football all around the world on the CBS website.
Steve G, Period 5
I think that it is ridiculous for the NFLPA to sue CBS because the stats that they provide don't cost them money to provide. Also I think it should be the players decision if they want to be included in fantasy football for free because they create the stats used in fantasy football. The NFLPA doesn't make those stats and therefore is not justified in its legally pursuit of money from CBS.
Rob C. period 5
I am on CBS's side in this argument because its not fare that cbs isnt allowed to use public names and stats. They should be able to broadcast and help people with there fantasy football teams.
Bryan S. Period 4-
I think that the article was good with all of the reasons for the lawsuit. However in this case I would have to qaggre with the NFLPA because of the fact that all of the player names, statistics and bios are all copyright NFL in ideas to protect their players from possible events that could happen. I think that this case should belong to the NFLPA.
Bryce Fadelici per. 5
I agree with CBS because the names are public and so are the stats. Anyone can access them from their home computers or even their phones so why can CBS not use their names and stats to help people like rob said. Also id like to point out that Brady is a pansie and the Jets are gonna own this year. Just wait till they come to the Meadowlands and we'll see who wins. Also Favre is the man and Jerricho Cotchery is gonna have a pro bowl year no doubt
Joe D. Period 4
I think that CBS is right because people everwhere can go on there computer and look at stats so they should be able to put there names and stats on there website.
Matt F. Period 4
i think that the NFLPA has no right to sue CBS. CBS just wants people to experience the thrill of playing fantasy football for free, without paying any money. THis way, people can look up stats and data for free online. Alothough CBS uses players names and teams, they should still be allowed to distribute Fanstasy Football for free to people around the globe.
Ryan G. Period 4
I believe that CBS should be able to use the stats for free. Anyone could go on ESPN or any other site and be able to see the stats anyway so it's not like CBS is the only one that can see them. Also, if they do this to CBS then it will happen to everyone else and there will be no more free leagues. Another thing is that it doesn't cost the NFL anything for CBS to use it so it's not like NFL is paying for it. Lastly, if the MLB can't make people pay then the NFL shouldn't be allowed to either.
I think that the NFLPA is wrong. I don't think that you can put a copyright on a name unless it is your own. If the players themselves Wanted to sue, then maybe I would support the cause. But even though I don't support the idea, i do think that money is money and if there was money in it for the players, they would support the cause and ultimantly win the case.
Chris C. Period 2
Victoria C. Period 4
I think CBS is right for sueing NFLPA. NFLPA wants to recieve licensing fees for use of player names and statics when all this information is available to the public so CBS should be able to use it if everyone else can.
Matt B Period 4
The NFLPA doesnt own the players so I dont see how it has the right to sue CBS. I agree with CBS because anyone can get the stats and names off of some website anyway, so it really doesnt matter. CBS has a right just like anyone else to use the stats.
Ken A, Period 4
I think the NFLPA does not have the right to sue CBS. Anyone that watches football can get the stats on the players and can even get it on line. This is public information that the NFLPA can not control.
well i belive that the nflpa has the right to sue cbs. i believe this because cbs uses the statistics of nfl players without permission of the nflpa and because the nflpa handles all the marketing of nfl players it is not fair that they use the players statistics
chris a period 2
if cbs is making money off of fanstasy football then the nflpa has the right to share a portion of the profits because cbs is using their players names and stats to make money. if cbs is not willing to share their profits then the nflpa has the right to sue.
Mike W. Period4
I think that the NFLPA doesn't have the right to sue CBS. Anyone and everyone can see live player stats from their computers and cell phones. So, why can't CBS put up their stats? Also, CBS is trying to inform people about the stats in the NFL.
P.S. This is the year for the Cowboys to win it all. On paper they are by far the best team in the league. Also if their offence keeps rolling and their deffence keeps shutting down teams, they will do it. GO COWBOYS
Sam G. Period 5
I think that CBS should not be sued by the NFLPA. CBS fantasy football isn't the only place to get player stats; you can get them any where online, so the NFLPA would have to go after every place that shows player's stats. They have no right to only attack CBS because they aren't the only ones doing fantasy football and CBS helps the NFL with the exposure of games. If the MLB couldn't make a case to sue CBS for fantasy football, the NFL shouldn't make a solid case to sue CBS for fantasy football
Paul M. Period 2
I think that CBS should have every right to use the Stats of the NFLPA players for free. They should definetly not be sued because if they get sued for posting the stats there are many more places that people can find the stats.
Michael Kehrer p.4
Im with cbs on this one, The NFLPA has no roghts to sue CBS for possesion of stats. The law suit will be over looked.
P.S. G-MEN repeat this year!
Billy M. period 4
I think that it was ridiculous for the NFLPA to sue CBS because CBS has every right to use the stats of players in the NFL, it is protected by the first amendment.
Matt M. Period 2
CBS should not have any right to sue the NFLPA. The NFLPA strictly own the rights to the players and their stats and if CBS is going to make money off of those things then the NFLPA absolutely should make CBS pay for it. It's simple CBS is making a profit off of the NFLPA's product, therefore NFLPA should get a sum of money from CBS.
P.S. GIANTS WILL REPEAT!!!!
Tom K. period 2.
I'm with CBS on this one. Honestly, NFLPA has no right to request that CBS pay them to use the players names. I really hope that CBS wins this case. Honestly, CBS made fantasy football, and does all the advertising for it. If it weren't for CBS, the NFL would be much less promoted in the news/on t.v. I think the NFL should pay their respects that CBS is so involved in helping the NFL people becoming promoted.
Just as a side-comment... this case reminds me alot of the napster music case where all the musican's sued since they weren't getting paid for their music. Funny how history has a way of repeating itself.
Dennis D.
i believe that cbs shows so many games each year that if they want to use players statistics then they should be allowed to.
Without cbs, nfl games wouldn't be as watched as they are now
Nicole G. Period 5
welll to start off that was a very confusing article.. id have to say that i think nobody should pay or get sued because the sports are on tv and people are gona see the results anyway. people are just making make believe teams to have fun with hint fantasyyyyy :)
John Spirito, per 5
I agree with CBS because why do they have to be fee'd now when they have been using the NFL stats and names for who knows long. I believe that they are going to win the lawsuit because there is no reason for the NFLPA to sue CBS. And if the NFLPA is going to sue CBS then would'nt they have to sue FOX, NBC, ESPN, and other top-of-the-line sports networks too?
Rocco J. Famiglietti / 11
P. 4
I think that CBS has the right to use the NFL players statistics. I think this because you can go almost anywhere online and get the statistics for the NFL players. Although it all comes from the NFL you dont see them suing all these other sites and corporations. CBS is innocent. If the NFL is going to go through with the lawsuit then they can't just sue CBS they'll have to sue them all. Sue one Sue All.
I dont think CBS should be sued because CBS isnt the only place to find stats. That kind of info is easy to get anywhere, so the NFLPA should either sue everyone or no one. I think this is too small of an issue to sue everyone. It isnt a big deal. If anything, it is helping football players. Besides they make enough money anyway.
Rob P Per. 2
I find it ridiculous that the NFLPA would sue CBS. I feel its just a way that the NFL can make extra money. There is no need to blow the situation out of proportion, it's just stats, CBS should be able to use them freely, without the NFLPA riding on there tail.
o yea luke s period 5
Chris F period 2
I think CBS should be able to use the stats and names of the players for free because if you need to find the stats of each game, there are so many other sources you can use to get the stats from. The NFLPA should not be able to sue CBS.
Ronaldo K. Period 5
I dont think that the CBS has the right to sue the NFLPA because that its only a game about football players stats and name. They are no rights to sue about the fotball players name and stat in the website. There a lot people playing Fantasy Football worldwide. Many peoples enjoy to have their own team and play it>
I have mixed feelings about the article. I don’t think that CBS should be sued because I feel people should have the freedom to find out stats or knowledge about a particular player, but at the same time I do feel that licensing fee should be paid to find out this information.
Craig M.
Per.4
I agree with the NFLPA because they are protecing the rights of the players and CBS is violating that.
i don't think that the NFLPA should sue CBS ,but CBS should give the NFLPA some kind of money for showing the players stats....
Geoff P. period 4
I think Cbs has a right to sue the NFLPA because they are stealing cbs's profits. This reminds me of the problem with free music downloads
Anthony A. Period 4
I think CBS is right on this one. There are so many places that you can find player stats for any sport, like on the Internet, on cell phones, Ipods, and much more. The NFLPA can't charge licensing fees to all those companies for their stats, so why charge just one? And especially seeing as a similar case was just denied from the MLB players, I don't see why the NFLPA even bothered asking.
Chris S. Period 2
I don't understand why it costs money to use players names in the first place. I mean, we all know who the players are so what is the problem if they don't pay money to use their names. That's putting a price tag on a human being and that is just wrong.
chris i period 2
i believe that the nflpa is crossing the line for this suit there have been fantasy leagues for years its a great way to bring fans of all ages together with their love for the game. ATo sue for the use of player identities is immoral and injust
Louie D period 2
this whole thing has gotten way out of hand. How come everytime there's something free and fun some rich guy needs to make more money on it? Do they really want fantasy football to become something underground, are they going to collect from every little pool around. The NFLPA needs to calm down and worry about other player issues, like chad johnson's new name.
Rohan Sahni
period 5
I think CBS should be aloud to get stats from the players. anyone can get stats anywhere
Peter Ladenheim Period 5
I agree with cbs. People are able to find out player stats anyway so why should cbs have to pay for them. I think its just a way that the NFLPA is trying to extort money from other companies.
Mike P. Period 4
I agree with CBS. People can look anywhere to find player stats for free so why should they have to pay to put them up. I think it nuts that the NFLPA would even think of sueing them. Besides are'nt these guys getting paid enough for playing every week?
I think CBS should be free to use the players stats. People can see there stats on tv anyway.
people will get to see stats anywhere they go. CBS should not be getting sued. this just makes the nfl look bad. its a fantays sprot its sopose to be fun not ruin somebodys buisnees.
MIKE baruch
Period 4 ... I belive that CBS should not be used when players stats can be recorded anyways. I belive the NFLP is blowing the issue out of proportion and should reconsider this .
Alec S. Period 4
The NFLPA I believe has no right to sue CBS for the stats and names of the NFL players. As Bryce said, anyone can access these stats as well as their names from any computer or phone. Fantasy Football is a fun activity that many people play per year, it isn't fair if that is taken away. GO RAIDERS
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