Fall, Football, and Fellowship

September 15, 2022

 And just like that, Summer is over, and a hint of Fall is in the air. Back to school, all things pumpkin, and of course – football! We are certain there was quite a lot of excitement coming from living rooms and back porches across America this past weekend as the season opened.

But what if that excitement extends beyond the house? Televised football games offer an opportunity for dynamic fellowship and family fun for churches. Do you have a game plan if your church plans to hold viewing parties for NFL games? Don’t be blindsided by copyright issues – there are some important rules to follow to avoid possible copyright infringement: 

  • Churches can show the game live on the equipment your church regularly uses; in a space the church owns. If your church owns a big screen and sound equipment and uses it for Sunday worship services, the game can be shown using this equipment.   
  • Churches can’t charge admission; however, donations are acceptable to defray the cost of the event. 
  • To eliminate the risk of copyright infringement, your church should avoid using the logos of the NFL, the Super Bowl, and the participating teams. Referring to the NFL, the Super Bowl, or the teams by name is permissible. 

Keep in mind the NFL has ownership of the rights to the text, images, photographs, video, audio, graphics, user interface, and other content provided on their services, and the selection, coordination, and arrangement of such material, including rights to the product names, company names, trade names, logos, product packaging, and designs. Any non-official of the NFL who is advertising or transmitting any of this content is viable to infringement. 

If you have any questions regarding viewing parties, call us at 855-576-5837 or email [email protected]. 

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