The Super Bowl party is a great American tradition: the big game, goofy commercials, and gobs of food. But is it legal to host a party if you’re watching the big game? We’ll break down the mystery.
First off, the NFL doesn’t have a police force that’s going to break down your door and throw handcuffs on you if you’re having a party. But the league can get testy, depending on the circ*mstances.
Super Bowl Parties at Churches
In 2007, the NFL threatened to sue churches that were hosting Super Bowl parties, but that’s because some of the churches were going above and beyond a typical party situation.
At the time, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the issue was that some churches were charging admission (to cover food), and showing the game using a projector. They also used the phrase “Super Bowl” in advertisem*nts for the event.
However, in the face of legislative pushback, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell composed a letter saying, “the league will not object to live showings – regardless of screen size – of the Super Bowl by a religious organization when such showings are free and on premises used by the religious organization on a routine and customary basis.”
Super Bowl Parties at Bars and Other Venues
Sports bars may have to pay specific licenses to show NFL games - those are determined by the size of the venue, the number and size of screens, and how many speakers are in play. If you own a sports bar, you should consult an attorney to be sure you’re on the right side of the law.
Venues (including bars) can’t charge admission to watch the Super Bowl, and the law generally prevents them from showing the game on a TV bigger than 55 inches. The league has had to inform theaters, schools, museums, casinos, and hotels about these rules.
Again, these rules may be legally dodged if the venue pays the correct license to the league.
What the Law Says About Super Bowl Parties
When it comes to the law, there’s a lot of grey area. In 1976, the drafters of the “Transmit Clause” added to U.S. copyright law didn’t consider the possibility of a massive gathering to watch an event. The most-watched TV show that year was “Happy Days.” No one was charging admission for a huge party to watch the Fonz on a 25” Zenith. The law has not been revisited since then, so even if the NFL wanted to sue you for a party, it would have no legal precedent unless you were trying to turn a profit from their content.
Essentially, if you’re trying to make money from a Super Bowl party, the league might object. If they chose to press charges, they might have a case. Here's the specific copyright law if you want to do your own deep dive.
How to Watch the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs airs at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Sunday, February 12. Rihanna is performing the halftime show.
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The general rule the NFL abides by is, if you're in a non-residential setting and you're broadcasting the game on a screen that is larger than 55-inches, you're going to need to pay a licensing fee.
The NFL considers any commercial activity that uses the term “Super Bowl” to be in violation. And don't underestimate how seriously they take this. In the past, they haven't hesitated to send cease-and-desist letters to businesses and even churches who used their name to promote events and services.
Since the 2023 season, Monday night games are now also subject to flexible scheduling. During the postseason, ESPN/ABC airs two or three games, NBC airs two or three, while CBS and Fox air the rest of the AFC and NFC games, respectively. The Super Bowl is currently rotated annually among CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC/ESPN.
A bar or restaurant that has a public performance license to show television programs on its premises has the right to show the Super Bowl broadcast to its patrons, but if it uses the words “Super Bowl” in its advertising to attract customers, the league will object.
Renting space to watch the game is not allowed, even if your church rents space for regular worship services. Your church cannot charge admission for your party. However, you may accept donations to defray the cost of food and other supplies.
So, if a company is caught using the term(s), they will receive a cease-and-desist letter from the league. Companies can't use the term because the league charges companies lots of money to use the term. For example, this year, a 30-second ad costs $7 million.
This has to do with the NFL's trademark on “Super Bowl,” which it has held since 1969. Holding rights over the name means the league holds sole ability to either use it commercially itself or license other businesses and brands to use it themselves, typically for a price.
Ticketmaster, which serves as the NFL's official ticket platform, showed the lowest price for tickets lately running at $6,500, while the cheapest on Stubhub were running at a little over six grand.
For the first time in history, the Super Bowl will be broadcast in two different formats. In addition to the CBS 2024 Super Bowl broadcast, the game will be simulcast on Nickelodeon.
The NFL-SMRI team reported that the average income of Super Bowl attendees is more than twice that of the average visitor to South Florida during the peak tourist months of January and February ($144,500 compared to $40,000-$80,000), and they spend up to four times as much as the average visitor to South Florida ($ ...
Most church Super Bowl parties are perfectly legal, but a few regulations could cause the NFL to throw a penalty flag on a congregation. Most church Super Bowl parties are perfectly legal, but a few regulations could cause the NFL to throw a penalty flag on a congregation.
The NFL does, however, cover all the production costs of the Super Bowl Halftime Show, so artists won't be in the red if they play. The NFL also pays for artists' travel expenses to get to and from (and to stay in) the city hosting the big game.
The NFL covers travel expenses for the artists, which is potentially an important plus when Las Vegas' private plane parking situation is expected to be completely packed. But other than travel and production costs, all of the performers singing at the Super Bowl for free.
The great news is that churches can host Super Bowl parties without fear of penalties and interference from the NFL for copyright infringement–IF they stay within certain boundaries. In recent years, the NFL has relaxed its stance on allowing religious organizations to host Super Bowl viewing parties.
Whether you want an autograph, photo, or just the chance to say hi, there are many ways you can find and approach a player. You may have the most luck at an NFL game. You can also attend numerous training camps, meet and greets, and signing sessions, even during the off-season.
First, non-commercial use of a registered trademark is generally okay. So, unless you're using the trademark to promote your organization, sell products, or raise money (such as by charging admission to a Super Bowl party), your organization is unlikely to infringe on the NFL's trademark rights.
In addition to “Super Bowl” and “Super Sunday,” do not mention, or use the logo of “NFL,” “AFC,” “NFC,” “National Football League,” “American Football Conference,” or “National Football Conference.”
Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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