It all goes back to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The law was made in response to Congress disallowing the NFL from negotiating TV rights because the government felt the league was violating antitrust laws. The U.S. government didn't like that the NFL was trying to sell TV rights deals en masse to CBS, where the teams would share rights equally.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 dictates that broadcasting rights of pro sports leagues are exempt from antitrust decisions — but it also contains language that says the NFL cannot broadcast games on Fridays and Saturdays when there are High School or College games within 75 miles. NFL games are blacked out locally on Fridays and Saturdays, thus essentially prohibiting the play (and broadcasting) of the games.
That means Saturdays, which is when college football games are played, is a no-go for the NFL until the college season wraps up. The same can be said on Fridays and the high-school season.
With the college season ending in November, that opens the door for the NFL to play games on Saturdays, like this upcoming weekend.
In short: The NFL can't play games on Fridays and Saturdays because of high school and college football.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 dictates that broadcasting rights of pro sports leagues are exempt from antitrust decisions — but it also contains language that says the NFL cannot broadcast games on Fridays and Saturdays when there are High School or College games within 75 miles. NFL games are blacked out locally on Fridays and Saturdays, thus essentially prohibiting the play (and broadcasting) of the games.
That means Saturdays, which is when college football games are played, is a no-go for the NFL until the college season wraps up. The same can be said on Fridays and the high-school season.
With the college season ending in November, that opens the door for the NFL to play games on Saturdays, like this upcoming weekend.
In short: The NFL can't play games on Fridays and Saturdays because of high school and college football.
