The 1966 merger of the AFL and NFL; Roger Clemens unconcerned about his attorney's possible conflict of interest; Urban Meyer cuts ties to work for ESPN
February 3, 2011
It's Super Bowl week
This year's Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will once again captivate the American sporting public. But the first Super Bowl that was played wasn't called the Super Bowl. It was called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. That game was played after the NFL and the AFL completed their championships following the 1966 season.
The AFL-NFL Championship game was part of the biggest merger in American pro sports. For the merger of the NFL and AFL to take place it required congressional involvement and some backroom politics to get around antitrust law. To make a long story short, the 89th Congress had to pass a law to allow the AFL-NFL merger. The law exempted the NFL from any possible antitrust violations because of the merger. Of note, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle promised Congress that no existing franchises would be moved from their current cities. Certainly this was one promise that was not kept.
Two Louisiana politicians played a huge role in the passage of the law
giving the impetus for the merger to go forward. Representative Hale Boggs and Senator Russell Long were happy to allow the merger as long as Pete Rozelle granted an NFL franchise to New Orleans. The merger was finalized in June of 1966 and the New Orleans Saints came into existence one month later. The Saints took the field for their first game in 1967.
Though the AFL and NFL operated separately from 1966 through 1969, and the merged league schedule did not happen until 1970, January 1967 saw the first AFL-NFL Championship Game in Los Angeles, pitting the Packers against the Chiefs.
Clemens not concerned about attorney conflict
Roger Clemens was in court Wednesday and told Judge Reggie Walton that he was not concerned about a possible conflict of interest stemming from his attorney, Rusty Hardin's, brief representation of Andy Pettitte. An attorney outside of the Hardin law firm, Michael Attanasio, will handle the cross-examination of Pettitte.
Urban Meyer forced to cut ties with Florida to work for ESPN
In order for Urban Meyer, the former Florida Gator head football coach, to
work with ESPN on college signing day he was forced to sever financial ties with the University of Florida in order to avoid NCAA recruiting violations.
It's Super Bowl week
This year's Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will once again captivate the American sporting public. But the first Super Bowl that was played wasn't called the Super Bowl. It was called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. That game was played after the NFL and the AFL completed their championships following the 1966 season.
The AFL-NFL Championship game was part of the biggest merger in American pro sports. For the merger of the NFL and AFL to take place it required congressional involvement and some backroom politics to get around antitrust law. To make a long story short, the 89th Congress had to pass a law to allow the AFL-NFL merger. The law exempted the NFL from any possible antitrust violations because of the merger. Of note, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle promised Congress that no existing franchises would be moved from their current cities. Certainly this was one promise that was not kept.
Two Louisiana politicians played a huge role in the passage of the law
giving the impetus for the merger to go forward. Representative Hale Boggs and Senator Russell Long were happy to allow the merger as long as Pete Rozelle granted an NFL franchise to New Orleans. The merger was finalized in June of 1966 and the New Orleans Saints came into existence one month later. The Saints took the field for their first game in 1967.
Though the AFL and NFL operated separately from 1966 through 1969, and the merged league schedule did not happen until 1970, January 1967 saw the first AFL-NFL Championship Game in Los Angeles, pitting the Packers against the Chiefs.
Clemens not concerned about attorney conflict
Roger Clemens was in court Wednesday and told Judge Reggie Walton that he was not concerned about a possible conflict of interest stemming from his attorney, Rusty Hardin's, brief representation of Andy Pettitte. An attorney outside of the Hardin law firm, Michael Attanasio, will handle the cross-examination of Pettitte.
Urban Meyer forced to cut ties with Florida to work for ESPN
In order for Urban Meyer, the former Florida Gator head football coach, to
work with ESPN on college signing day he was forced to sever financial ties with the University of Florida in order to avoid NCAA recruiting violations.
Posted by sportslawtalk at 2/2/2011 8:01 PM 
Categories: Roger Clemens, Urban Meyer
Tags: AFLNFL merger
Categories: Roger Clemens, Urban Meyer
Tags: AFLNFL merger
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