Evening star., 1951-10-10
Public Ponders Effect
OF Federal N Suit
Against Grid League
BY the Asseciosed Press

PHILADELPHIA. Oct. 10.-A
Government antitrust suit against
the National Football League had
the public wondering today if un-
restricted television of all top
sports events might result.
The Justice Department accused
the NFL of violating Federal anti
trust laws in restricting teleyision
and radio broadcasts of its foot
ball games. The suit yesterday
asked the United States District
Court to issue an Injunction pro-
hibiting the league from regulat-
ing telecasts and broadcasts.
Many NFL club owners took the
suit lightly. Bert Bell. league
president, laughed out loud and
said:
why with only a few small sex-
ceptions our entire televiSion and
radio program is based on sug-
gestions by the Justice Depart
ment. We have nothing to fear.
If we are in violation of any anti
trust laws. then we want to find
|it out. We don't believe it."
The Justice Department sale
it picked the NFL for the test ease
because it is 4sthe worst in respect
to having the greatest restriction.
on radio and TV of any major
sports activity
Flatters League, Marshall Says.
In Washington. this was tn.
comment of George p Marshall
president of the Redskins:
1T is highly f1attering that IL
the whole scene of sports oul
league is the one selected for tn,
test case. I believe it is a goot
thing that some one is maxim,
an effort to decide what thes,
rules should be.
"At the present time, the onl,
conspiracy that bothers me is th
one concerning our opponents il
the National Football League VIII,
don't seem to want us to win
game. Maybe the Department O
Justice can do something abou
that"
/ H. Graham Morrison, Assistan
Attorney General in charge O
antitrust activity, indicated tha
IF the shoe fits" in the NFL case
similar court action will be takel
against other sports organizations
This could involve the Nationa
Collegiate Athletic Association
which has an active program G
restricted television.
Tom Hamilton, co-chairman Q
the NCAA television committe
which formulated the present pro
gram Of limited televising of col
lege football games, called tn
Governments G move "a very start
ling development"
"WiII Wait and See."
Il feel we {the committee) Iav
had adequate counsel on this mat
ter" said Hamilton at Pittsburg
where he is head football coac
land athletic director at the Uni
Iversity of Pittsburgh.
However, the NFL case shoul
be interesting and certainly wi
have a lot of implications for u,
: Wen wait and see what happens.
! In Los Angeles, Prof. Hugh vii
, lett, president of the NCAA sal
he had no comment on the cas-
but admitted naturally we will b
interested in seeing the outcome
, In Washington, Representativ
; Clemente, Democrat, of New Yorl
who has been calling for a Con
, gressional investigation of sport.
| praised the Justice Department
/ action.
'But I don't think it goes fla
enough" he said. IT think W
ought to look into boxing, basket
ball and college football"
\ The outcome of this case an
amy future cases is of vital interes
to the Nations rapidly CROWN
television audience. Too otter
many set owners feel, they hay
been needlessly prevented fror
seeing top sports events becaus
lof television restrictions.
i I'VE have got, to remove thes
restraints which serve only to tn
ldetriment of the public" Moriso]
commented at a news conference
He. said the Governments actio]
followed a five-month inyestiga
ition into the matter.
/ Last week the NFL was threat
Iened with another suit. The de
Ifunct Baltimore Colts said the,
would sue the league for restora
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