NFL, MO, and the Constitution

The NFL owners want more viewers, but they want those viewers to pay to see every play. Currently local TV stations can only air highlights and tapes provided to them and approved by the NFL. Senators Matt Bartle and Victor Callahan don't think that's fair and they are making Missouri the first state to fight for its place on the field.

"I love professional football," Bartle said.

And he isn't alone. Every Sunday, millions of Americans tune-in to watch their favorite pros. But this season they have only been able to watch what the NFL says they can watch.

"The NFL requires the local media to use the NFL's clips, the content that the NFL chooses, not the content that the media outlet chooses," said Sen. Matt Bartle of Kansas City.

Last march, NFL owners voted 32-0 barring local TV cameras from being on the sidelines. Leaving the NFL to decide what will and will not be seen, an issue Bartle says begs some serious constitutional questions.

"I believe it does affect first amendment rights," Bartle said.

The Constitution isn't the only thing in question. The NFL is using taxpayer funded stadiums, and not giving them the local media.

"The teams in most settings do not own the stadiums, the stadiums were built by the taxpayers, it's a public entity," said Sen. Victor Callahan, also of Kansas City.

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The NFL is using taxpayer funded stadiums,

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