NFL to let networks run Patriots-Giants game

With the New England Patriots one game away from becoming the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go undefeated in the regular season, a showdown between the NFL's NFL Network and the networks was ready.

Saturday's season finale featuring the Patriots and the New York Giants was to be run exclusively on the NFL Network, which isn't carried by most cable operators. Blocking cable-watching fans from all over country from access to the fans would have given the league horns but, after receiving a letter from Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, the league has relented. The game will also appear on CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) and General Electric (NYSE: GE)'s NBC.

In a statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league made the decision to please fans: "We have taken this extraordinary step because it is in the best interest of our fans. What we have seen for the past year is a very strong consumer demand for NFL Network. We appreciate CBS and NBC delivering the NFL Network telecast on Saturday night to the broad audience that deserves to see this potentially historic game. Our commitment to the NFL Network is stronger than ever."

This has to score the NFL Network some major points in the PR battle between itself and the cable companies that refuse to carry its programming because of the league's huge pay requests. The NFL has a site where it urges fans to demand the NFL Network, and has wasted no time in posting the news of its generosity on that site.

The league also has a letter it wants you to send to your elected officials (who clearly have nothing better to do...) accusing cable companies of taking advantage of football fans.

Having perhaps played some small role in bringing the Patriots game to network television, John Kerry has accomplished far more than the man who beat him in the last Presidential election.