Rules the NFL sent to affiliates

[satelliteoflovegm]

It was an internal email at work so no link. But they want to control EVERYTHING that even remotely touches their product. I emboldened some more interesting stuff.

 

September 6, 2011

 

2011 NFL GUIDELINES FOR AFFILIATES

ADVERTISING, SPONSORSHIP AND PROMOTION

1. Permitted Advertising. Station has the right to sell commercial advertising and billboards in game telecasts in accordance with Network format and national/local baseline numbers.

 

2. Prohibited Advertising. Stations may not sell:

 

a. Any advertising or sponsorship to any Prohibited Advertiser (see Exhibit A)

b. Advertising that does not meet the Advertising Content Regulations (see Exhibit

c. Any Gambling & Lottery Advertising (see Exhibit C)

d. Title or presenting sponsorships of NFL Games

 

e. In-game sponsored enhancements (e.g., any 3rd party sponsorship or identification within game including but not limited to a ticker, vignette, feature, graphic, production or technology application, product placement, through audio and/or visual references)

 

3. Consultation. Station must consult in good faith with League, at League’s request, regarding the identity of any advertiser or sponsor, the products or services to be advertised, and the form and content of any advertising.

 

4. Commercial Unit Pattern. In all Game Telecasts, station must adhere to Network advertising format and pre-determined pattern of commercial breaks per quarter, it being understood that League does not guarantee the availability of a specific number of breaks in any quarter or in any Game Telecast if the natural flow of play does not accommodate such breaks, and Network and/or station will not be entitled to “make-good” availabilities if a sufficient number of breaks in any Game Telecast are not naturally available.

 

5. Bunching. Stations may not “bunch” inventory (e.g., run a lower commercial load in any game in order to move commercials into another game).

 

6. Electronic Signage and Tickers Prohibited. Station may not insert in any Game Telecast any tickers, crawls, or virtual signage (other than customary on-screen station identification) and may not remove or change any existing stadium signage by use of virtual signage.

 

7. Network Feed. Station may not alter the Network feed of any game broadcast in any way (including by superimposition, modification of picture size or otherwise) to insert promotional, commercial or informational messages other than (1) insertion of advertising in designated local station breaks; (2) emergency news or weather-related bulletins, and (3) legally required station identifications.

 

8. Restrictions on Use of League Marks. Station is not permitted to use, or allow any advertiser or sponsor to use, on-air or off-air, any League Marks (see #11) in any advertising, sponsorship or otherwise, without League’s prior written approval. Any approved use of any League Marks may not constitute a direct or indirect endorsement by the NFL of the sponsor or its products or services.

9. Sponsored Promotion. Stations must seek League approval for all on-air and off-air promotions of NFL Game Telecasts and any use of NFL Marks or NFL footage.

 

a. League will not permit any League Marks to be associated in any way with a sponsor that is competitive to NFL Official Sponsors (see Exhibit D).

 

b. Sponsorships by non-official sponsors in non-competitive categories will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. League may grant or withhold approval in its sole discretion.

 

c. Station may not use Club marks without the prior written permission of Club. League will not approve sponsored promotions that conflict with NFL Club or team rights in such team’s local market.

 

d. No ticket giveaways or other contests using NFL marks or logos are permitted without League approval over rules and contest format.

 

e. Stations are prohibited from using “generic” names for NFL events (e.g., “Win tickets to the Big Event in Indianapolis”) as a means of avoiding League policies.

 

f. Under no circumstances may station use the Lombardi Trophy in any advertising or promotion.

 

g. Station may not use League Marks for consumer products business without the prior express written consent of the League.

 

10. League Approval Process. Station must submit samples of proposed use (e.g., preliminary designs, artwork, proofs, scripts, mock-ups, or other materials) in writing to BLANK Please allow 15 days for League to review. League may approve or disapprove in its sole discretion.

 

11. League Controlled Marks. The NFL owns and controls the rights to “League Marks” which includes the names, words, symbols, emblems, logos, slogans, designs, program titles or depictions, trade dress, colors and helmet and uniform designs of the National Football League and its member clubs. The League Marks include but are not limited to the NFL Shield design, the terms “National Football League”, “NFL”, “National Football Conference”, “NFC”, “American Football Conference”, “AFC”, “Super Bowl”, “Pro Bowl”, “Monday Night Football”), “NFL Network”, the MNF Mark, “Sunday Night Football”, the SNF Mark, and each of the League calendar marks (e.g., NFL Kickoff Weekend, NFL Thanksgiving Classics, etc.) and their respective logos and any other indicia (including, but not limited to, “special purpose” logos and graphics for Super Bowls, playoff games, or events) adopted for commercial purposes by the League or any of its member clubs.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

2011 NFL Season

 

PROHIBITED ADVERTISING CATEGORIES

 

(Note that examples listed within specific categories are provided for illustrative purposes only.)

 

1. Contraceptives (e.g., condoms), except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted under the pharmaceutical category.

 

2. Dietary and/or nutritional supplements and products (including energy drinks) that contain ingredients other than vitamins and minerals for which the FDA has established recommended daily intakes, or any substance prohibited pursuant to League policies. Health and nutrition stores are permitted, provided that they do not reference any dietary or nutritional supplements or products, or any prohibited substances.

 

3. Distilled spirits and flavored malt beverages (e.g., Smirnoff Ice, Bacardi Silver); however, traditional malt beverages (e.g., beer) and non-alcoholic malt beverages and wine are permitted, subject to specific League guidelines.

 

4. Establishments that feature nude or semi-nude performers.

 

5. Firearms, ammunition or other weapons; however, stores that sell firearms and ammunitions (e.g., outdoor stores and camping stores) will be permitted, provided they sell other products and the ads do not mention firearms, ammunition or other weapons.

 

6. Fireworks. So Bob's House of BOOM is out

 

7. Gambling-related advertising, including, without limitation, advertising for any hotel, casino or other establishment that houses gambling regardless of whether the advertising references gambling, as well as any advertising that would violate the terms of the League’s television agreements or policy on gambling advertising, except:

 

a. general advertising from a state or municipal lottery, provided that such lottery organization does not offer any betting scheme that is based on real sporting events or performances in them; or

b. general advertising from horse- or dog-racing tracks, or from state or municipal off-track betting organizations, provided that such horseracing, dog-racing or off-track betting establishment offers neither (i) betting schemes based on real sporting events (other than horse or dog races) or performances in them or (ii) casino games of any kind; or

c. general advertising for tourist destinations, including Las Vegas, subject to the following:

 

i. NFL APPROVAL: All such ads must be approved in advance by the NFL. Please send all materials to (BLANK) who will coordinate with the NFL.

 

ii. ADVERTISING ONLY: Only general advertising will be permitted (e.g., advertising units). Sponsorships, including, but not limited to, program segment sponsorships and other types of branded programming enhancements are prohibited. (For example, vegas.com ads in commercial breaks will be acceptable but a pre-game sponsorship or sponsored feature in NFL programming will not be permitted).

 

iii. TOURISM DESTINATIONS ONLY: Only tourism destinations (e.g., Nevada, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe) are permitted, subject to the terms hereof. The prohibition of ads for hotels, casinos and other institutions that house gambling will remain in place regardless of whether or not such ads explicitly reference gambling.

 

iv. CONTENT: Ads may not contain any gambling references - audio or visual - or any other gambling imagery. (For clarity, ads for Las Vegas tourism may not contain images of slot machines, dice, cards, or a wide shot of Vegas strip and casinos but may contain images of golf, swimming pools, and performers). The content of the ads (audio and/or visual) must be “family friendly”. Any suggestive ads or those showing or suggesting inappropriate activity (e.g., excessive use of alcohol, sexual adventures), or those that imply general misbehavior (e.g., “What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas”) will not be approved.

 

v. ANCILLARY MENTIONS: Airline and other travel-related ads may now mention Las Vegas in an ancillary manner (e.g., “Fly Southwest Airlines from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for $59”).

 

8. Illegal products or services.

 

9. Movies, video games and other media that contain or promote objectionable material or subject matter (e.g., overtly sexual or excessively violent material), as determined by the NFL.

10. Restorative or enhancement products (e.g., “male enhancement” products), except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted under the pharmaceutical category.

 

11. Sexual materials or services (e.g., pornography or escort services).

 

12. Social cause/issue advocacy advertising, unless otherwise approved in advance by the NFL. If approved, only general advertising will be permitted (e.g., advertising units). Sponsorships, including, but not limited to, program segment sponsorships and other types of branded programming enhancements are prohibited.

 

13. Tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuff).

 

14. Advertisements for pharmaceutical products (both prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription)) are permitted only under the following terms and conditions:

 

(a) Only general advertising will be permitted (e.g., advertising units).

( Sponsorships, including, but not limited to, program segment sponsorships and other types of branded programming enhancements are prohibited; provided that in limited circumstances sponsorships by over-the-counter pharmaceutical products may be permitted with the prior written approval of the NFL.

© Categories of permitted/prohibited pharmaceutical products (both prescription and over-the-counter) may be modified by League at any time.

(d) Advertising for over-the counter pharmaceuticals is generally permissible (provided they do not otherwise fall in a category listed above)

(e) Advertising for prescription medications is permitted currently in only the following categories:

i. Analgesics (Non-Opioid Only ) (e.g., Celebrex, Mobic)

ii. Antibacterials (e.g., Zithromax, Levaquin)

iii. Antidementia / Alzheimer’s Agents (e.g., Aricept)

iv. Antidepressants / Anxiolytics (e.g., Lexapro, Zoloft)

v. Antifungals (e.g., Diflucan)

vi. Antigout Agents (e.g., Zyloprim)

vii. Anti-Insomnia Agents (e.g., Lunesta, Ambien)

viii. Anti-Inflammatory Agents (Non-Steroidal Only) (e.g., Celebrex, Mobic)

ix. Anti-Migraine Agents (e.g., Topamax)

x. Antiparasitics (e.g., Malarone, Stromectol)

xi. Anti-Parkinson / Movement Disorder Agents (e.g., Requip, Mirapex)

xii. Antispasticity Agents (e.g., Zanaflex)

xiii. Antivirals (e.g., Kaletra, Zovirax)

xiv. Blood Glucose Regulators / Diabetes Medications (e.g., Januvia)

xv. Cardiovascular Agents (including Cholesterol Reducing) (e.g., Lipitor, Norvasc)

xvi. Dental and Oral Agents (e.g., Aphthasol)

xvii. Dermatological Agents (e.g., Taclonex)

xviii. Gastrointestinal Agents (including Inflammatory Bowel Disease Agents) (e.g., Nexium, Asacol)

xix. Genitourinary Agents (including Erectile Dysfunction and Prostate Medications) (e.g., Flomax, Viagra, Hytrin)

xx. Hair Renewal and Growth (e.g., Propecia)

xxi. Immune Suppressants / Immunomodulators (e.g., Betaseron, Orencia)

xxii. Metabolic Bone Disease Agents (including Anti-Osteoporosis Agents) (e.g., Boniva)

xxiii. Ophthalmic Agents (e.g., Restasis)

xxiv. Oral Contraceptives (e.g., Loestrin 24)

xxv. Otic Agents (e.g., Auralgan)

xxvi. Respiratory Tract Agents (Allergy and Asthma Medications) (e.g., Flonase, Zyrtec, Pulmicort)

xxvii. Smoking Cessation Products (e.g., Chantix)

xxviii. Vaccines (e.g., Gardasil, Fluvirin)

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

ADVERTISING CONTENT REGULATIONS

 

Station advertising and sponsorships shall be lawful and of the highest possible standards of excellence and in this regard. Station will ensure that the following conditions are observed with respect to all advertising and sponsorships. There shall be:

 

1. no commercial or material which is not of a suitable artistic and technical quality;

 

2. no commercial or material that may violate any rights of any person, firm or corporation;

 

3. no false, unsubstantiated or unwarranted claims for any product or service, or testimonials that cannot be authenticated;

 

4. no announcement for a product or service which is illegal per se or has no legal use in the state, county or municipality in which station is distributing the announcement;

 

5. no commercial or material which is in whole or part defamatory, obscene, profane, vulgar, repulsive or offensive, either in theme or in treatment, or that describes or depicts repellently any internal bodily functions or symptomatic results of internal conditions, or refers to matters that are not considered socially acceptable topics;

 

6. no false or ambiguous statements or representations that may be misleading to the audience;

 

7. no commercial that includes any element of intellectual property without the owner’s consent to such use, including but not limited to music master, mechanical, performance and synchronization rights or gives rise to any other colorable claim of infringement, misappropriation or other form of unfair competition;

 

8. no disparagement or libel of competitors or competitive products;

 

9. no commercial that is or may be injurious or prejudicial to the interests of the public, League, its member clubs or honest advertising and reputable business in general; or

 

10. no commercial that makes any appeal for funds or consists of, in whole or in part, political advocacy or issue-oriented advertising. All public service announcements (PSAs), paid or unpaid and regardless of source, must be approved in advance by League.

 

EXHIBIT C

 

NFL GAMBLING & LOTTERY ADVERTISING

 

1. Station will not, within any NFL Game or programming containing NFL footage, accept, telecast, broadcast or otherwise distribute any advertising or promotion for any product or service relating in any way to gambling or sports betting or lotteries or any advertising or promotional spot which depicts or mentions, or includes any reference to, gambling or sports betting or lotteries.

2. Station will not telecast, broadcast or distribute in any medium whatsoever any promotional announcement or informational material for or related to League that includes any reference to or mention of gambling or sports betting or lotteries. This includes, without limitation, print advertisements, printed schedules, Internet site mentions, tickers, or similar materials.

 

3. Station may not use any NFL footage (as otherwise permitted or licensed) in conjunction with any programs or features that are shot (live or taped) inside a casino or any facility that houses gambling or betting.

4. Station may not use any League Controlled Marks or NFL footage in any programming or segments dealing with gambling or sports betting or lotteries, or in connection with any segments sponsored by or which include advertising or promotion for any product or service that depicts or mentions, or includes any reference to, gambling or sports betting or lotteries.

5. Station may not air any images depicting, and will use reasonable efforts to cause station announcers and studio personalities not to make any statements or provide any commentary suggesting the basis for or otherwise facilitating, gambling or wagering on the League or its member clubs including, for example, reports on point spreads, over-unders or wagers placed on individual teams or games.

6. The terms “gambling” and “sports betting or lotteries” include, without limitation, sports books, tout services, line services, or other such services whose activities are significantly geared to sports betting; casinos; hotels that include gambling establishments; riverboat gambling establishments; Indian gaming establishments authorized under federal law; and other facilities that house or operate any commercial gambling establishment. Gambling includes but is not limited to casinos and hotels that have gambling, even if the gambling is not specifically mentioned (e.g., if a gambling resort’s on-air commercial promotes the “fun, family atmosphere” or other non-gambling-related facilities of the establishment without visual or aural reference to its actual gambling facilities).

 

7. Station may not accept any advertising from a state, municipal, or provincial lottery or an off-track betting organization that offers any betting schemes based on real athletic contests, even if the content of the advertising does not specifically mention sports gambling.

 

8. Station may not accept any advertising contest or promotion that would reasonably be perceived as constituting affiliation with or endorsement of the lottery, race track or off-track betting organization or its activities by a player, an owner or club employee, or the club itself.

 

9. The prohibition against gambling-related advertising includes the commercial breaks both during and between NFL pre-game show and adjacent NFL game, and between NFL game and any adjacent post-game show.

 

Permitted:

 

1. General advertising from a state, municipal or provincial lottery is permitted if the lottery organization does not offer any betting scheme that is based on real sporting events or performances in them.

 

2. General advertising from horse or dog racing tracks, or from state or municipal off-track betting organizations provided they offer no betting schemes based on real sporting events (other than horse or dog races) or performances.

 

3. Stations may accept advertising concerning local, state, or national referenda or legislation concerning gambling.

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

2011-2012 NFL CORPORATE SPONSORS

 

As of August 3, 2011

COMPANY CATEGORY/PRODUCTS

ANHEUSER-BUSCH Beer

BARCLAYS Team Identified Credit Cards, Official Banking of the NFL / NFL Affinity Credit Cards

BOSE Home Theater Systems

BRIDGESTONE Automotive Tires

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY Soup

CASTROL Motor Oil

DMI Dairy Products such as milk, cheese and yogurt

EA Video Games

FEDEX-KINKOS Package Delivery Services

FRITO-LAY Salted Snacks/Popcorn/Peanuts/Peanut Products/Salsa/Dips

GATORADE Sports Beverages (isotonic)

GENERAL MOTORS Passenger Cars and Passenger Trucks

IBM Computer Hardware and Software, IT Services

MARS SNACKFOOD Chocolate and Non-chocolate Candy Products

MOTOROLA Wireless Telecommunications Equipment

NEWS AMERICA Super Bowl FSI

crappy shoes from spammers Footwear and Gloves

P&G OTC Grooming, Fabric/Air Care, Household Needs, OTC Remedies

GILLETTE OTC Grooming Products

HEAD & SHOULDERS OTC Grooming Products

VICKS OTC Remedies

PAPA JOHN'S Pizza Carry-Out/Delivery/Frozen

PEPSI Soft Drink

PRILOSEC OTC Heartburn Medication

REEBOK On-field Apparel, Footwear and Gloves

SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio

TICKETMASTER Ticket Exchange

UNDER ARMOUR Footwear and Gloves

VERIZON Wireless Telecommunications Services

VISA Payment Systems Services

 

Promotional Sponsors

NATIONAL GUARD US Military

** Promotional partners have limited rights and in most instances are limited to specific calendar marketing windows

[Scooby's Hubby]

I am in disagreeance with the fire arm No. 5, it IS hunting season, you know. Remington and Winchester should be allowed to advertise their brand during their biggest selling time of the year. And a store like Academy should be able to advertise any specials on ammo and guns, not just hunting gear. You know UnderArmor is big in football, but even more so hunting. Can they at least show a guy hunting in their clothes?

Edited September 8, 2011 by Scooby's Hubby

[lawofmurphy]

Honestly, they are just protecting themselves from ANYTHING controversial to a significant percentage of the population. It might only be 30% that have an issue firearm advertisements and it might only be 30% that have an issue with contraceptive advertisements, but it's enough that the NFL is happy to just ignore it. Football gets such demand that it's not like they are hurting for advertisers. So they have the luxury to be selective in who they take. If the NFL were struggling, I'm sure the rules would become much more lax. In other words, don't take it personally. I'm sure a vast percentage of NFL people wouldn't give a rat's ass if there was a firearm (or contraceptive) sponsor, but it's all about the finicky US population.

 

EDIT - Thanks to the OP for posting this...fun to look at. Do you mind if I ask where you work? Or...a TV station I guess?

 

I am in disagreeance with the fire arm No. 5, it IS hunting season, you know. Remington and Winchester should be allowed to advertise their brand during their biggest selling time of the year. And a store like Academy should be able to advertise any specials on ammo and guns, not just hunting gear. You know UnderArmor is big in football, but even more so hunting. Can they at least show a guy hunting in their clothes?

Edited September 8, 2011 by lawofmurphy

[Scooby's Hubby]

I love how they rule the content on TV, but cannot control maniacal fans in the seats and in the parking lots during the games.

Edited September 8, 2011 by Scooby's Hubby

[Chief Dick]

I love how they rule the content on TV, but cannot control maniacal fans in the seats and in the parking lots during the games.

 

 

Agree 100%.

[cbs0121]

I love how they rule the content on TV, but cannot control maniacal fans in the seats and in the parking lots during the games.

 

THIS. The lady and I are attending our first NFL game next weekend - Green Bay at Carolina. She's a HUGE Packer fan and we're both very excited, but we're in the nosebleeds and I'm a bit concerned about a few drunks getting out of hand.

[Chief Dick]

and I'm a bit concerned about a few drunks getting out of hand.

 

You mean all the Packers fans that will be there?

[Big John]

You mean all the Packers fans that will be there?

Leave your kids out of it.

[Big John]

 

 

I like the more kid-friendly rules. I didn't see it, but do they restrict movie previews? To me, a horror movie preview is worse for my kid than a gun or contraceptive commercial.

9. Movies, video games and other media that contain or promote objectionable material or subject matter (e.g., overtly sexual or excessively violent material), as determined by the NFL.

 

Looks to restrict the violent portions of them.

[satelliteoflovegm]

EDIT - Thanks to the OP for posting this...fun to look at. Do you mind if I ask where you work? Or...a TV station I guess?

 

Yes TV station.

 

I mean in reality this affects us zero. We get about 5 minutes of local spots and it's all Pizza joints and car dealers. Maybe a lawyer or two.

 

I really think the one about using the phrase "The Big Game" is overstepping. But I just push the buttons and get paid to watch the game. So who cares what the rules are.

[Zooty]

Please ban these

 

 

10. Restorative or enhancement products (e.g., “male enhancement” products), except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted under the pharmaceutical category.

 

The constant barrage is annoying