Churches cancel Super Bowl parties fearing prosecution

ABC News:

Football fans at churches around the country are praying for a Hail Mary play in time for Sunday's Super Bowl.

Some congregations that throw parties to watch the big game and possibly convert a few nonbelievers may be in violation of National Football League policy and could face legal action. According to the league, the churches are violating NFL copyright by airing games on large-screen TV sets and by charging admission.

Here's a solution: don't charge admission. I saw last year's Super Bowl at a Catholic Church's recreation hall. At halftime they showed excerpts from the Champions of Faith DVD. It was good fun and attracted a great number of the parish's youth and young adults. I think they might have had a donation basket to offset chips and soda.

update: reader Laura comments: "Unfortunately, it isn't as simple as not charging admission. There are churches with legal action against them who never charged admission. See: WaPo article."

Thanks Laura, that's different, for sure.