Feb 2, 2008 1:18 pm US/Eastern
NFL Sacks N.H. Movie Theater Super Bowl Plans
Game Can't Be Shown On Cinema Screens, League Says
HAVERHILL, Mass. (CBS) ―
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The NFL threatened to sue the Chnky's Cinema Pub chain in New Hampshire if it showed the Super Bowl game in its theaters.(File)
WBZ
Three New Hampshire movie theaters have been told by the NFL that they're not allowed to show the Super Bowl on their big screens Sunday night.
Chunky's Cinema Pub had planned to show the game for free at its theaters in Nashua, Pelham and Haverhill, Mass., but the NFL sent a letter saying the plan violates its copyright protections, reports CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston.
Except for at sports bars, the NFL prohibits out-of-home viewing of its games unless no admission is charged and the game is shown on a small, home-sized television screen.
The NFL prohibits viewings of any NFL game on a TV screen larger than 55 inches.
Al Coburn, Chunky's CEO, said he had expected up to 1,800 people to show up.
The theatres aren't sure how the NFL found out about the showings but the event was advertised on the company's Web site.
The NFL has sent similar letters to establishments across the country.
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