But I just don't see that as anything we can change in the near future.  I am pretty sure they have an exclusive contract wrapped up for the next 5 years or so.  And DirecTV completely overpaid for the exclusive rights so they could use it to drive customers to subscribe.

You make a good point about downloading the games, but there has to be some sort of middle ground.  Maybe make just a couple of camera angles (including the overhead shot) available via on demand on Wednesday or Thursday of the next week.

One thing you did not mention about the NFL Network is that they actually charge the cable companies two separate rates.  One is just to carry the channel.  The other is if they want to carry the live games.  I got completely screwed last Thanksgiving because I assumed that having the NFL Network I would get the Broncos game.  I found out about 5 minutes before kickoff when the cable company ran a ticker message.  Just one more way the NFL is screwing over the fans while trying to squeeze out every dollar they can.

Not sure about the foreign markets.  I am definitely opposed to further expansion, 32 teams works perfectly for me.  Mexico and Canada are realistic possibilities for relocation, but I think Europe or Asia are just too far away for travel purposes.  

Living in the NYC area, the sellout rule has never even been a consideration.  But I do wish they could do something to change the exclusive TV coverage when both the Jets and Giants are playing.  I really enjoyed getting stuck with the Giants-Dolphins game and then the Bills-Jets.  The real kicker is when CBS did not switch to the only decent 4 pm game (Jacksonville vs TB) when the Jets game ended at 6:45 pm.  Instead we got 15 minutes of highlights before CBS went to 60 Minutes.  And my friend almost got a hole in his TV :)

Dude, you just need to come over to my place and have some of my famous ribs and some drink of your choice.  You'll feel better.

If it hadn't been for the ribs and brats (and Coronas) last night I'd be slashing my wrists right now.  lol.  (That was a joke everybody).

I won't bring up those Direct TV bastards for a real long time.

We should be grateful that we have something...

DirecTV is more about the steep cost, added to blackouts and bad customer service.

I agree that Sirius is a godsend from the satellite of sports heaven.  The problem I have is that a year ago I was listening to the games on internet radio in Alaska (no southern sky so no DirecTV) and one day I tune in for a Raiders game only to be told that the NFl doesn't allow you to listen on the internet anymore.  Bullcrap!!  Bah, I'm still pissed!  What changed??  They weren't getting their share of dough from me.

So like a nancy-boy I bought Field Pass from those arrogant bastards.  They have us all right where they want us....

Sirius NFL is the best thing going out there.  They have great people working their shows.  I used to be a regular caller.  (Adam Schein is a radio football god).

Direct TV overbilled me by hundreds.  I wrote the details about it in a comment somewhere on another diary or story.  It got to be so bad that I had to disconnect my service, even at the cost of seeing my beloved Broncos each week.

I live in a condo so I can't put anything on the roof and my unit does not have a southerly facing.  So I am SOL.

Glad you guys love Sirius NFL Radio.  A friend of mine is one of the producers (and as I mentioned a while ago Adam Schein grew up in the same area and is a friend of friends).  I have never bothered to get Sirius but I do shell out for the NFL's internet radio package so I can at least listen to the Broncos games.

I am not gonna try and fight the NFL over something like their deal with DirecTV which is worth big dollars.  But I can't see how keeping the details of player contracts secret helps the league.  And I can't see how divulging the contract info would cost them money.