Well, it's almost time for "the big game"...
For the uninitiated, you are not allowed to use the term “Super Bowl“ in a commercial environment, unless you have paid money to the National Football League. That’s why your local pizza joint may say if they’re running a special on wings for “the big game“. In fact, the entire sport revolves around gigantic sums of money, not the least of which is the betting on the games which is extraordinary and that is just in a crazy way the tip of the iceberg. Each team has official whatever’s whether it’s the official sandwich or the official auto repair or the official doctor or dentist or the official insurance broker, etc. Enormous sums of money are paid to individual teams by each of these retail establishments for the right to make the statement, but what many people don’t realize is there a severe limitation as to what you are allowed to use unless you are paying even more money. For example: you cannot use the insignia of the team unless there is additional money passed. There are extremely strict guidelines as to what context you are permitted to mention the team in your advertising.
Know if you violate any of these rules to any degree at all whatsoever, you get a very, very angry letter from the team with all the ramifications spelled out in excruciating detail. What is not apparent to the fan, but is apparent to any business person who deals with them is that if they thought that the oil companies car companies were ruthless, they ain’t seen nothing yet. I was privileged to be invited to a party given at the stadium here in Philadelphia, and some idiots brought in their own liquor to consume rather than use the bar which was provided. The organization which hosted the party received a letter a few days later because the stadium crew found cans or bottles in the trash, and informed them that they will no longer be welcome to host a party and it is a permanent ban on the use of the facility. This is a group that pays hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for the rights to say they are the Eagles official whatever. The players are, during the season, essentially the equivalent of military privates. If there is something going on involving the team, they are absolutely required to be present, no excuses at all whatsoever. And I mean none. The player literally better be in the hospital , and with the exception of a death, no family issues are acceptable excuses.
The cost of attending a game is beyond outrageous, but the definition of capitalism is that if something is perceived as being worth a certain amount then by definition it is. So while you and I may think that $300 for a seat to a regular season game and $20 for a warm beer is ridiculous, there are literally millions of people who are willing to pay it, so, it doesn’t really matter what you or I think the money is well spent or not, and gigantic profits are attainable. Of course, the joke is that the metropolitan area contributes tax money to build the stadiums for these billionaire owners, and there are many debates as to whether the community actually gets money in return or , could the owners threaten to move the franchise to another area for a “free stadium” which has happened in the past.
And it’s billions and billions and billions of dollars in each of the sectors. All this being said, I recognize that many people here have voiced opinion that they have no interest at all whatsoever in the outcome of the “big game” today. Well, I’ll tell you: I don’t particularly like watching golf, it is absolutely a waste of time for me, but in 100 years I would never make the statement that it shouldn’t be on TV because in fact, there are lots and lots of people who enjoy watching it immensely and should have the opportunity given that there are sponsors who feel it is worth paying the money to access this audience. The beauty of America is that we have this varied taste in everything, and we should be able to accommodate those who do not share our particular preferences and understand that for many individuals to be a fan of a sport is a terrific way of channeling all kinds of emotions which would be best not manifest at work or at home. The only time I yell in my household is at the TV during a football game and it is a terrific release for me to be able to participate in this fashion . This year I am particular proud of my home team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and whatever happens today in “the big game“ I will remember the experience for the rest of my days. And the good news for the rest of you who don’t care is that there are approximately 375 other channels or… You could read a book. Enjoy the Sunday, and Go Eagles!
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Enjoy the game PC! Been bleeding green my entire adult life and was still living in NYS when St. Nick took us home in 2018 so the experience was sort of muted. Back in Bucks now so I am all in.
The NY Giants fans are still feeling burned and are pissed that the Empire State Building has been lit green for our Birds!!!
Have fun. FLY EAGLES FLY!
🦅
I’m sure they love that… LOLOL.
I’ve been to quite a few Eagles games, as a photographer on the sidelines. There is no crowd anywhere like it. You can always count on them for lots of good pictures. 
... tried to copyright the phrase "the big game", but were turned down. Probably by some bureaucratic soccer enthusiast 
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NFL is just following the lead of the equally corrupt IOC, which forces businesses in an Olympic area to stop using the word "Olympic" or anythng similar, even if that's been part of their name for years, eg Olympia Greek Restaurant.
The only group I know of that lost such a fight was the World Wrestling Federation, which fought and lost exclusive rights to "WWF". The Panda-iconed World Wildlife Fund body-slammed them in court. The wrestling group changed their name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
I won't be watching "the big game", but will be out at my "the big grill" (not so big), cooking "the big fish" (a salmon fillet), washed down by "the big glass of wine".
As to the stuff in quotes, as they say, "all rights reversed".
Go Lions (someday)
