David Rosenthal

A huge shot across the bow to the AFL.

Fortunately and unfortunately, they immediately encounter political pressure in response to this.

This triggers the Department of Justice to start an antitrust violation process against the NFL.

This is like a clear use of monopoly power.

Right.

If the teams are the business, then yes, this is antitrust.

If the NFL is the business...

No.

So pretty immediately, the courts strike down this deal.

And there's about, I think, a one to two month period where it's all in limbo.

And this is where the Kennedy relationships come in clutch for Rozelle and the NFL.

So both the president and Bobby Kennedy in Congress whip up enough support to pass through new congressional legislation.

and to allow for national sports contracts on a league-wide basis.

It's called the Sports Broadcasting Act.

It ends up getting passed towards the end of 1961.

The day after the bill is passed and signed by John F. Kennedy, he literally hosts a party at the White House for the NFL, which is like, just tells you everything you need to know right there.

Pete Rozelle, all the owners, they are invited to the White House to celebrate this new antitrust exemption that has been passed through Congress to allow them to negotiate this landmark deal because the president wants to watch his football.

And at this point in time, I think a lot of those arguments hold water.

This actually was driving a lot of commerce for the nation.

Wow.