NFL Needs to Have a Better Policy On Diversity in Franchise Marketing

By Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

Since the current professional franchise ownership group took over the NFL franchise, I have consistently pointed out to them that they never include Black owned accredited media outlets on their advertising budgets.

Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

Each year the Challenger Community News, 105.5 The Beat of Rochester New York, Power 96.5 radio, and the Buffalo Criterion Newspaper have provided accredited coverage of the NFL franchise. This coverage includes a limited number of away games, but the organization refuses to advertise with these outlets.

The problem begins with the owner, who refuses to look at the need for a reciprocal business relationship with these outlets that would only boost his visibility and most of all show a good will to all accredited media that provides direct coverage of the franchise. This writer has mailed multiple letters to the owners who do not even bother to respond to the importance of a reciprocal business relationship that would only increase the popularity of our favorite pastime.

My petition in this case includes the NFL office and various influential owners, but nothing has been done to show a proper appreciation for the diligent and professional work of these accredited outlets that have covered this franchise now for 30 years. During my thirty years of coverage, which includes Power 96.5 radio for 25 years, and thirty years at the Criterion Newspaper; and two years at 105.5 The Beat of Rochester New York. This issue has been brought to the attention of our organizations and elected officials but the local franchise refuses to be fair. Now I know that some are saying they are a non-governmental business that has the right to run their business as they see fit. This is a true statement, but they also receive millions of dollars of tax subsidies from all of us, and there needs to be some legal parameters around the recipient of such a huge public outlay of funding.