Arlen Spector - Comcast's Man In Washington

[Bella*chick]

The assumption is NOT dumb in the slightest. I am really surprised that anyone would think it has absolutely nothing to do with it. Come on, people.

 

[IcyPatriot]

So you are telling us that this is all just a big coincidence and that Spector is just merely very upset at how the scandal of videotaping from a non-designated spot by a team in September should somehow necessitate the elimination of the NFL's Antitrust Exemption?

I'm saying he's just pissing them off ... that's all. The spygate issue to gain leverage angle will go nowhere on his part and nowhere on the speculation front. I'm saying this issue is a non-issue and it's inane ... just media fodder.

 

[shmessy]

I'm saying he's just pissing them off ... that's all. The spygate issue to gain leverage angle will go nowhere on his part and nowhere on the speculation front. I'm saying this issue is a non-issue and it's inane ... just media fodder.

So he's just getting his jollies by pissing off the NFL with absolutely no motive? Sorry, but I don't believe Arlen Specter has nothing better to do than the kid down my street who rings doorbells and runs away.

I live close enough to DC to know, everyone does something in Congress with a motive. If Specter's was "altruism" he wouldn't have waited until the eve of the SB to call these press conferences regarding something that took place over 5 months ago.

F.B.N., once again, are you saying that the fact that Comcast is headquartered in his state and is his #2 donor is merely a coincidence in this matter?

I agree with you when you write "I'm saying this issue is a non-issue and it's inane ... just media fodder". In my opinion, Arlen Specter doesn't throw around the words "terminate antitrust exemption" very lightly. He's playing a very dirty corporate game. $101,000 in one year can evidently buy a Senator's soul.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I'm saying he's just pissing them off ... that's all. The spygate issue to gain leverage angle will go nowhere on his part and nowhere on the speculation front. I'm saying this issue is a non-issue and it's inane ... just media fodder.

I don't know. NFL.com insider Vic Carrucci was on WEEI this afternoon, and on hearing about Spector's connection to Comcast said it was the only thing that makes sense. Spector is hoping to use the threat to call the Commissioner and more in to testify only to effect a change of heart when the NFL caves on it's court fight with the cable companies (who are all looking out for us little people...).

The alternative is he's a berserk Iggles fan using the threat of congressional hearings to somehow avenge McNabb's hurry up chuck performance in 2004. And if that's the case he should be impeached.

 

[JDSal45]

Since 1989, Comcast is Specter's second largest donor.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allcontrib.asp?CID=N00001604

This does not even include amounts officers of Comcast may have donated separately. The CEO of Comcast, Brian Roberts, has also donated additional amounts in each of the last two years.

J D Sal

 

[Gator Mike]

FWIW, I don't see how Comcast benefits from rehashing the whole "Spygate" thing.

Hearings on the league's broadcast agreements with NFL Network and Sunday Ticket? Sure. But Spygate? To me, that simply reeks of a Senator trying to gain points with the shallow end of the Pennsylvania gene puddle.

 

[Bella*chick]

FWIW, I don't see how Comcast benefits from rehashing the whole "Spygate" thing.

Hearings on the league's broadcast agreements with NFL Network and Sunday Ticket? Sure. But Spygate? To me, that simply reeks of a Senator trying to gain points with the shallow end of the Pennsylvania gene puddle.

Arlen Spector brings up antitrust in a thinly veiled threat to take it away from the NFL if they don't fess up to whatever he's trying to get them to fess up to.

Goodell and the League soften their stance on the Comcast issue because they want this thing to just freakin' end already, seeing as the damn tapes are destroyed.

Arlen miraculously drops the investigation and says all is well.

That is how it would benefit Comcast.

 

[Mooch]

Folks, spygate is a total red herring. Specter has made it his mission to take any NFL issue that comes up as a potential challenge to the NFL antitrust issue. In 2005, he was trying to turn Terrell Owens' case into a potential antitrust violation:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2240403

He doesn't care about football or the Philadelphia Eagles. He's trying to chip away at the NFL bit by bit on behalf of Comcast, and it's completely transparent.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I agree with you when you write "I'm saying this issue is a non-issue and it's inane ... just media fodder". In my opinion, Arlen Specter doesn't throw around the words "terminate antitrust exemption" very lightly. He's playing a very dirty corporate game. $101,000 in one year can evidently buy a Senator's soul.

Specter has nothing ... it's that simple. If he was getting somewhere he wouldn't risk ridiculing himself. He's playing the part ... getting the money ... and pissing the NFL off all at the same time. He's letting them know when he gets some "red meat" they will give him what he wants.

He waited until most of the few SB stories had played out. Who knows, perhaps the Brady ankle delayed what he would have done last week. I never seen a man act so much and say so little when they went after Clinton. Specter is a professional bloviator at this point ... nothing more.
Look for the NFL to bolster his next opponents war chest ... indirectly of course.

 

[NormZauchin]

Spygate is a pretty weak reed from which to attack the NFL and its antitrust exemption. Steroid use was a violation of the law, filming an opponent's signals is not, nor is destroying those films. Spector won't get the assistance of anyone else in the Senate unless the Pats beat the Giants so badly that Hillary feels compelled to join in. I wonder why Spector didn't bring T.O. before a Senate committee to investigate why Owens undermined the Eagles.

 

[Bella*chick]

Spygate is a pretty weak reed from which to attack the NFL and its antitrust exemption. Steroid use was a violation of the law, filming an opponent's signals is not, nor is destroying those films. Spector won't get the assistance of anyone else in the Senate unless the Pats beat the Giants so badly that Hillary feels compelled to join in. I wonder why Spector didn't bring T.O. before a Senate committee to investigate why Owens undermined the Eagles.

I just got this visual of TO doing situps before a Senate investigating committee.

 

[DarMan]

Title of thread should read: Arlen Sphyncter - Comcast's Man in Washington - what an a**hole this guy is. Soldiers are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, gas is $3.00 a gallon and the US Senate has nothing better to do than worry about tapes of a football game?

 

[mb6592]

Folks, spygate is a total red herring. Specter has made it his mission to take any NFL issue that comes up as a potential challenge to the NFL antitrust issue. In 2005, he was trying to turn Terrell Owens' case into a potential antitrust violation:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2240403

He doesn't care about football or the Philadelphia Eagles. He's trying to chip away at the NFL bit by bit on behalf of Comcast, and it's completely transparent.

Wow, Great job Mooch! Another example of why these pieces of sh*t hate the internet. How's a scumbag like Specter suppose to do business if everyone can so easily disseminate his ulterior motives. I fear the days of a free and open internet are numbered.

 

[mb6592]

Wow, Great job Mooch! Another example of why these pieces of sh*t hate the internet. How's a scumbag like Specter suppose to do business if everyone can so easily disseminate his ulterior motives. I fear the days of a free and open internet are numbered.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/patriots/index.php/2008/02/01/how-interesting/

 

[SeymourTrophies]

As soon as a politician spoke on behalf of integrity the article and whole situation became laughable.

 

[Gator Mike]

Arlen Spector brings up antitrust in a thinly veiled threat to take it away from the NFL if they don't fess up to whatever he's trying to get them to fess up to.

Goodell and the League soften their stance on the Comcast issue because they want this thing to just freakin' end already, seeing as the damn tapes are destroyed.

Arlen miraculously drops the investigation and says all is well.

That is how it would benefit Comcast.

That's awfully thin. Spector's a U.S. Senator. He can look into revoking the NFL's anti-trust exemption if the mood strikes him - he doesn't need an excuse. Hell, Senator Kerry threatened to look into it because the NFL initially balked at moving the Pats/Giants game from the NFL Network.

 

[shmessy]

That's awfully thin. Spector's a U.S. Senator. He can look into revoking the NFL's anti-trust exemption if the mood strikes him - he doesn't need an excuse. Hell, Senator Kerry threatened to look into it because the NFL initially balked at moving the Pats/Giants game from the NFL Network.

Specter was in on that, too. Now Mooch points out that Specter has pulled the same thing in 2005 regarding T.O.

The fact that it now seems that Specter pulls he Antitrust card every 3 weeks on the NFL points to this being an ongoing corporate extortion by Comcast. How they get away with this is a crime.

 

[Gator Mike]

The fact that it now seems that Specter pulls he Antitrust card every 3 weeks on the NFL points to this being an ongoing corporate extortion by Comcast. How they get away with this is a crime.

Welcome to American politics.

I'm buying that Comcast wants Spector to threaten the NFL in order to get the rights to Sunday Ticket.

Not buying that he's using Spygate as a way in. Again, he doesn't need a way in - he's a U.S. Senator. He can review the NFL's antitrust exemption if he's upset because the Eagles drafted a quarterback in the 2nd round.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

destroying football tapes is more important to this tool than securing country borders????

priorities need to be reviewed I would have to think.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Arlen Specter...Warren Commission...now he's worried about NFL?

Hey Arlen. Go "Bleep" yourself. Seeing your smug face makes me want to vomit. Now, you are interested in the NFL? After being in bed with Comcast.
There's a reason the term Philadelphia Lawyers became prominent. And, not in a complimentary way either. You Sir are the poster-boy for that!!