NFL on Dish This Year??

[jcrash]

Is there any chance that if they announce the merger is going through we could end up with the NFL package on Dish?

[James_F]

I had read somewhere no, but I'm sure someone here would know better. Mike?

[JohnH]

It is not likely the merger will be approved in time to have a substantial portion of the season left to offer, but a "rest of the season free" for ordering the next season might be a possibillity.

[Rusty]

This is the last year of the NFL's current contract with DirecTV concerning NFL Sunday Ticket. While it may seem like there is plenty of time to agree to a new deal before the 2003 season I know, from past experience, that the NFL likes to have their TV contracts in place at least 18 months ahead of time. IMHO, I think that the league is waiting to see if there will be a merger before signing another contract. It is, by no means, certain that there will even be an NFL Sunday Ticket package after this season. Just another reason that I hate the day that two only two small dish providers decided to try and create a monopoly.

[BobMurdoch]

There is NO chance for NFLST on E* as the merger is not slated to be ruled upon until 4Q2002. After that, it will take some time to integrate, as the lawyers climb through small details. Customer's needs rank about 20th down the list. You MIGHT have a fighting shot at MLBEI but I wouldn't hold my breath for anything else.

What???!!! You don't like Cricket?

Bob

(Fellow disgruntled E* based sports fan -- who just happens to have waivered distant nets and superstations that keep me from jumping ship to D*)