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Super Bowl Surpass Final Episode of M*A*S*H As Most Watched TV Show in U.S. TV Histtory PDF Print E-mail
Television
Written by Maury Brown   
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 01:48

Super Bowl XLIV

The 2009 NFL season concluded with another record as Super Bowl XLIV reached a total audience of 153.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in U.S. television history according to Nielsen Media Research.  The Colts-Saints championship game topped the previous mark of 151.6 million total viewers set last year (Cardinals-Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII). Super Bowls account for the 19 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.

Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers

 

Game

Total Viewers

Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10

153.4 million

Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09

151.6 million

Super Bowl XLII (Giants-Patriots), 2/3/08

148.3 million

Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots-Panthers), 2/1/04

144.4 million

Super Bowl XL (Steelers-Seahawks), 2/5/06

141.4 million

Source: NFL, Nielsen Media Research

In addition, a record average of 106.5 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLIV – topping the previous mark of 106 million for the series finale of M*A*S*H in 1983 and an eight percent increase over last year’s Super Bowl (98.7 million viewers).

Super Bowl XLIV earned a 45.0 household rating marking the highest-rated Super Bowl in 14 years (46.0 rating for Cowboys-Steelers in Super Bowl XXX, January 1996) and a seven percent increase over last year’s 42.0.

Source: National Football League

See a complete game recap, plus the Betty White/Abe Vigoda Snickers, The Last Airbender, Denny's screaming chickens, and Tim Tebow commericals from The Biz of Football's live game blog of Super Bowl 44.


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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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Super Bowl Sees Highest TV Ratings Since '86, Could Top 100 Million Viewers PDF Print E-mail
Television
Written by Maury Brown   
Monday, 08 February 2010 16:21

Super Bowl XLIV

Super Bowl XLIV that saw the underdog New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 was an unbelievable ratings hit for CBS, garnering 46.4 fast overnight rating according to Nielsen Media Research, the highest rated game since the 1986 Super Bowl between the Bears and Patriots which drew a 48.3 on NBC. The game was up 10 percent from last year's Cardinals-Steelers game.

But, when the total final numbers come in later today, the focus will be not on the ratings, but total households. Last year's game pulled in a total of 98.7 million viewers, so chances are that the NFL will see over 100 million viewers for its premier game for the first time, ever.

Game for the Records:

  • Saints kicker Garrett Hartley entered the record books with his performance Sunday. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to make three field goals from at least 40 yards. He put the Saints on the scoreboard with a 46-yarder in the second quarter and converted from 44 yards just before halftime He set the record with a 47-yarder in the third quarter, continuing a successful recent stretch. Hartley made the winning field goal in overtime of the NFC championship game against the Vikings.
  • Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 333 yards, joining Brett Favre (5,855) and Joe Montana (5,772) as the only quarterbacks to have passed for more than 5,000 yards in their postseason careers. Manning has 5,164 yards.
  • Colts kicker Matt Stover became the oldest player (42 years 11 days) to participate in a Super Bowl. Until he missed a 51-yard try in the fourth quarter, he had made 16 consecutive postseason field goals.
  • The Saints matched the biggest deficit a team has overcome to win a Super Bowl by rallying from 10 points down. Their 10-0 deficit matched the 10-0 deficit Washington overcame in beating Denver 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII.

Wire reports

See a complete game recap, plus the Betty White/Abe Vigoda Snickers, The Last Airbender, Denny's screaming chickens, and Tim Tebow commericals from The Biz of Football's live game blog of Super Bowl 44.


OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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LIVE BLOG - SUPER BOWL XLIV (SB44) PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown, Joe Tetreault, and Matthew Coller   
Sunday, 07 February 2010 01:39

Super Bowl XLIV

Main Entry: com·pe·ti·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin competition-, competitio, from Latin competere
Date: 1579

1 : the act or process of competing : rivalry: as a : the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms b : active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply
2 : a contest between rivals; also : one's competitors


PROLOGUE

(7:00am ET - Maury Brown) It's not every year that the Super Bowl sees the two top seeds in each conference square off over the pigskin, but that's what you're going to see today. On top of that, most that watch the game will turn it into a day-long endeavor bordering on religion. There will be the pre-game, the commercials, the coin-flip, the broadcasters, the halftime performance by The Who, the post-game, and, oh yeah.... the game itself.

Today, I, along with Business of Sports Network staff members Joe Tetreault, and Matthew Coller, will be covering the game from top to bottom. There will be a recap of key plays (of course any that result in scoring), but also all commentary on all the trimmings. There will be embedded commercials (if they are made available online), and a solid dose of humor to keep you hitting the refresh button all day long. Also, you can add your comments as we see this as an open thread discussion, as well.

Thanks for joining us,

Maury Brown
President, Editor-in-Chief
Business of Sports Network
Bizball LLC


SELECT READ MORE TO SEE THE LIVE BLOG FOR SUPER BOWL XLIV

 
Upcoming: The Biz of Football Live Blogs the Super Bowl PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by the Staff   
Saturday, 06 February 2010 07:22

Biz of Football Live Blogging the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is more than the NFL's premier game, it is America's premier event. From the pre-game, commercials, half time entertainment (this year, The Who), broadcasters, and yes... the game itself, the Super Bowl is one of a kind.

With much of the Super Bowl about action off the field, the Business of Sports Network is keenly set to cover the event from top to bottom. For the past two years, we have live blogged the Super Bowl here on The Biz of Football, and this year we'll be at it again.

Maury Brown, Matthew Coller, and Joe Tetreault will be chronicling it all, so bookmark us, and we'll see you early Sunday.


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Friday Super Bowl XLIV - Injury Report PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown   
Saturday, 06 February 2010 00:55

Super Bowl XLIV

The following is an injury report for February 05, 2010, two days before Super Bowl XLIV

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

 

Status Report

 

QUESTIONABLE

RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

 

 

PROBABLE

T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (illness, foot), CB Jabari Greer (groin), CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Will Smith (groin), T Zach Strief (shoulder), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

Practice Report

 

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

 

Wednesday

RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

 

Thursday

RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

 

Friday

CB Randall Gay (illness, foot), RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

 

 

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

 

Wednesday

CB Randall Gay (foot), CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Will Smith (groin), T Zach Strief (shoulder), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

 

Thursday

CB Randall Gay (foot), CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Will Smith (groin), T Zach Strief (shoulder), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

 

Friday

CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), T Zach Strief (shoulder)

 

 

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

 

Wednesday

T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

 

Thursday

T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee)

 

Friday

T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), DE Will Smith (groin), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

 

Status Report

 

QUESTIONABLE

DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), CB Jerraud Powers (foot)

 

 

PROBABLE

RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), CB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), CB Melvin Bullitt (knee), T Ryan Diem (knee), CB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), T Charlie Johnson (foot), G Ryan Lilja (back), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), T Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip), WR Reggie Wayne (knee)

Practice Report

 

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

 

Wednesday

DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), CB Jerraud Powers (foot)

 

Thursday

DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), G Ryan Lilja (back), CB Jerraud Powers (foot)

 

Friday

DE Dwight Freeney (ankle)

 

 

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

 

Friday

CB Jerraud Powers (foot), WR Reggie Wayne (knee)

 

 

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

 

Wednesday

RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), CB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), CB Melvin Bullitt (knee), T Ryan Diem (knee), CB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), T Charlie Johnson (foot), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), T Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip), WR Reggie Wayne (knee)

 

Thursday

RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), CB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), CB Melvin Bullitt (knee), T Ryan Diem (knee), CB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), T Charlie Johnson (foot), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), T Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip), WR Reggie Wayne (knee)

 

Friday

RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), CB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), CB Melvin Bullitt (knee), T Ryan Diem (knee), CB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), T Charlie Johnson (foot), G Ryan Lilja (back), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), T Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip)

Source: National Football League


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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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Saints Winning the Battle of Super Bowl Merchandise on eBay PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown   
Thursday, 04 February 2010 15:59

eBay

When it comes to purchasing products in this chilly economy, many have been turning to eBay to save precious cash. With the Super Bowl just around the corner, fans are flocking to the online merchandise resale service snatching up deals ahead of the game.

According to eBay, while the Saints inch to the top based on team merchandise listed - 668,048 total items offered for the Colts ($904,750 in sales) vs. 708,171 items offered for the Saints ($1,192,344 in sales), from January 2 - 31, 2010, the real game-time indicator comes down to the Quarterbacks.

In the past 30-days (1/2/10 - 1/31/10) on eBay, Saints QB Drew Brees has nearly four times the number of listings, with 378,612 items offered compared to Colt's QB Peyton Manning total of 82,220 items listed on eBay.

Is it because fans hold on to their Manning items more religously than Brees items? Is it because there's a host of new bandwagon Saints fans? Let the discussion begin.


OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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NFL Spends $6 Million To Advertise Self During Super Bowl PDF Print E-mail
Television
Written by Maury Brown   
Thursday, 04 February 2010 06:20

NFL

There is simply no better place for the NFL to promote itself than the most watched game by casual fans.  The NFL knows this and is not missing the opportunity.  They are also not getting a discount.  According to SportsBusiness Daily the NFL will pay more than $6 million for around two minutes of ads during the Super Bowl telecast on CBS.

“The Super Bowl has many more casual fans than our other games, and we want them to know we’re the place for 365, 24/7 coverage, especially during the off-season,” NFL CMO Mark Waller told SportsBusiness Daily.

The telecast will feature one 30-second, one 60-second and two 10-second promos along with a 30-second spot during the last CBS pregame shows.  The ads will reportedly use the ridiculously-slow motion, 1000-frames-a-second Phantom HD digital video camera, which we will all recognize from this season’s NFL Network ads.  Images of Titans running back Chris Johnson along with Saints and Vikings quarterbacks Drew Brees and Brett Favre will be used.

The 60-second ad, which will run sometime during the third quarter, will use more super-slow action featuring a wide range of fans celebrating in their own “regional styles.”  The two 10-second ads will promote the NFL Draft.


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Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter

 
Officials for Super Bowl XLIV Announced PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown   
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 17:02

Super Bowl XLIV

Referee SCOTT GREEN will lead the seven-man crew of game officials selected to work Super Bowl XLIV this Sunday between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium, the NFL announced today.

The other members of the Super Bowl XLIV officiating crew are UNDREY WASH (umpire), JOHN McGRATH (head linesman), JEFF SEEMAN (line judge), ROB VERNATCHI (field judge), GREG MEYER (side judge) and GREG STEED (back judge). The Super Bowl XLIV officiating crew collectively has 66 years of NFL officiating experience and 36 combined playoff game assignments.

Green, in his 19th season as an NFL game official, served as the back judge in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. Promoted to referee in 2004, he has officiated in 12 playoff games – two Super Bowls, one conference championship, three divisional playoffs and six wild card games.

Under the NFL officiating program's evaluation system, the highest-rated eligible officials at each position earn the right to work the Super Bowl.  Super Bowl officials must have at least five years of NFL experience and previous playoff assignments.

JIM LAPETINA is the replay assistant.  The video operator is JIM PEARSON.

SUPER BOWL XLIV OFFICIALS

POSITION

UNIFORM NO.

OFFICIAL

NFL SEASONS

CAREER PLAYOFF GAMES

Referee

19

Scott Green

19

12

Umpire

96

Undrey Wash

10

7

Head Linesman

5

John McGrath

8

4

Line Judge

45

Jeff Seeman

8

4

Field Judge

75

Rob Vernatchi

6

2

Side Judge

78

Greg Meyer

8

4

Back Judge

12

Greg Steed

7

3


Source: National Football League


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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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RazorGator.com Reports 86% Increase by Volume for Super Bowl Tickets PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown   
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 18:58

Super Bowl

RazorGator.com, the secondary ticket sales company, reports that the sales volume of tickets for the Super Bowl is up 86 percent, compared to last year year, with the average price on the secondary market at $2790.

We spoke to RazorGator President and CEO Brendan Ross about ticket sales on the secondary market for the Super Bowl.

The Biz of Football: When did the secondary market for the Super Bowl start trending dramatically upward compared to last year?

Brendan Ross: The match-ups coming out of the conference championships can always swing the market in either direction. The proximity of New Orleans to Miami and the excitement of it being their first Super Bowl has created a lot of unique demand compared to years past. The Cardinals were a surprise to even die-hard fans last season, so more people had to make last-minute plans and travel a farther distance, which softened demand.

BoF: Beyond the local markets ( New Orleans and Indianapolis ), what markets have seen the highest traffic (if numbers are available, that would be helpful)?

Ross: 84% of tickets we’ve sold are from outside Florida but Florida is still the top market for tickets (16% of sales). The rest of the top 5: 2) LA (13%); 3) NY (12%); 4) IL (11%); 5) GA (10%) – IN is 8th but increasing rapidly.

New Yorkers are paying for the best seats at an average of $4273 per ticket, Indiana is spending $3135 per ticket and Louisiana is spending $2782 per ticket

BoF: What has been the highest asking price for a Super Bowl ticket on Razorgator?

Ross: There is a lot of suite availability at this year’s Super Bowl and prices can start as high as $85,000 for an 8-person suite. Currently, the highest asking price is for Lower 40-yard-line seats at $5100 each.

Bof:  What has been the highest selling price?

Ross: A customer from New York paid $7900 for Club seats on the 50 yard-line

Bof: What is the current volume at, and what was the volume for last year?

Ross: We project that orders will be 86% ahead of last year’s pace. Raw order comparisons can’t be made until after the event.

BoF: Finally, why do you think the trend is up so dramatically?

Ross: The 2009 Super Bowl came just 5 months after the stock market cratered. It was not OK to party in 2009, and corporate hospitality was off. Mid-recession is a completely different place than early-recession. At mid-recession, cementing relationships with business partners is all important, and that’s what corporate hospitality does. The big BCS game, this Super Bowl, and sales for the forthcoming Masters and Final 4 are all signaling that relationship building via hospitality at big events is in full swing.

We have long-standing relationships with Indianapolis and New Orleans businesses and season ticket holders because of our successful work at previous Super Bowls, the Sugar Bowl, the Final Four and the last time the Colts were in the Super Bowl. It’s a lot of repeat business for us.

The public trust in established sources within the secondary market is growing very quickly. Businesses and fans appreciate the convenience and accessibility of working through companies like Razorgator and PrimeSport for tickets and travel packages to events that were simply inaccessible in the past.


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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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Ruling Prevents NFL Owners From Dissolving Supplemental Revenue Sharing PDF Print E-mail
NFL News
Written by Maury Brown   
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 06:48

NFL

THIS IS BREAKING NEWS...

In a key win for the NFL Players Association, Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled on Monday that the NFL cannot dissolve the supplemental revenue sharing (SRS) pool in 2010, as the league had planned.

As reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen:

Burbank rejected an interpretation from the NFL Management Council that an owners resolution in March 2006 determined the supplemental revenue sharing pool was only required during years in which the NFL was operating under a salary cap.

The league notified its member clubs and the NFLPA in December that the supplemental program which funded approximately 8-to-12 lower revenue clubs would no longer be in effect in 2010, the final and uncapped year of the labor agreement that was reached between owners and players in 2006.

"...We find no explicit distinction between capped and uncapped years or between capped years and The Final League Year," Burbank wrote in his ruling, which ESPN acquired Monday night.

In his ruling, Burbank sided with the union for the players saying that any changes to the labor agreement required approval from the NFLPA.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "Today's decision involves a small sliver of the NFL's overall commitment to revenue sharing. The NFL for decades has shared more than 80 percent of league and club revenues. In the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement that expires in 2011, the NFL clubs also agreed to a small percentage of additional revenue sharing because of the new CBA's significantly increased salary cap. The agreement calls for no salary cap in 2010 and that additional piece of revenue sharing to which the clubs had agreed in 2006 is therefore no longer required in our view. Although the Special Master disagreed with our interpretation on that issue, we are hopeful that Judge Doty, who will look at the issue anew, will see it differently."

The NFL has said that it plans on appealing Burbank’s ruling to the presiding U.S. District Court Judge, David Doty.


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Maury BrownMaury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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Sun., 1/17 - Sirius/XM MLB Homplate (XM 175, Sirius 220) (5:30pm ET) - Maury Brown on the sale of the Texas Rangers and the possible sale of the Houston Astros.