oz615 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The season finale of ESPN's original series "Playmakers" earned some of the best ratings for the show's run, but pressure from the NFL could put the show in jeopardy."Playmakers," about a fictional, controversy-laden pro football team in an unnamed city, averaged about 2.2 million viewers a week in its first season. Tuesday's (Nov. 11) finale was seen in about 2 million households, the most since the show's premiere.For all that, though, the series, created by "Alias" writer-producer John Eisendrath, may not live to see a second season. Although ESPN has said numerous times that the show is not based on the National Football League, the NFL has objected strenuously to its content. Drug use, easy sex and domestic abuse were among "Playmakers'" seamier storylines this season.Reports in both the Chicago Sun-Times and the New York Post claim ESPN is likely to cancel the show under pressure from the league. ESPN broadcasts NFL games on Sunday nights that typically draw an audience about four times the size for that of "Playmakers."NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has called the show "a gross mischaracterization" of how a pro football team works. Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, tells the Sun-Times that it's "certainly a possibility" that the NFL could take its cable package elsewhere if ESPN renews "Playmakers."The network says it hasn't made a decision about renewing the showIts a damn shame,because that is the best show on TV IMO,but hey its the NFL,what can you do about,thoughts on this anyone?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez Street Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 i'd say put it on HBO but they also deal witht the NFL (Inside the NFL). Man just don't cancel this show.... @DavidStreeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puckcool22 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 that show is sweet, if the nfl doesnt like it how come they didnt complain about any given sundayalso i think for a second season they should do a different sport, basketball, baseball, hockey... or maybe ncaa football or basketball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ez Street Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 i've been kickin' around the idea of a story of a Minor League hockey team, it's even stranger in the minors..... @DavidStreeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yh Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 that show is sweet, if the nfl doesnt like it how come they didnt complain about any given sundayThe NFL didn't complain about "Any Given Sunday" because the studio that produced the movie doesn't rely on the NFL to generate income like ESPN does. Matter of fact, the studio that produced "Any Given Sunday" pays millions of dollars to advertise during NFL broadcasts, thus enabling networks to pay the NFL huge sums of money for the rights to carry NFL programming.This is a classic case of the NFL using its economic might to control how its broadcast partners behave. And now that the NFL Network has been launched, you better believe that all of the cable networks are going to march in absolute lockstep with each and every order the NFL cares to issue.Again, I am not going to state whether I feel this is right or wrong, but it is what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Sad we all know this is dramataziation, makes me wonder what does the NBA have to hide. Sad whats happeneing to the first amendment. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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