The complaint, filed with the New York State Supreme Court yesterday, asks for unspecified damages because of NFL officials' efforts to encourage customers to switch from Comcast and other large cable providers to television services that carry the network as part of basic programming.
"It seems to us that, after repeatedly telling you and us that its customers don't care about our channel, Comcast seems to be a little nervous about our perfectly legitimate efforts to make sure that consumers know all of their options for getting NFL Network," network spokesman Seth Palansky said in an e-mail to the Associated Press.
The suit acknowledges the NFL's campaign has been successful in persuading customers to leave Comcast. It alleges the league's actions violate its contract with Comcast by depriving the cable company of revenue.
In addition to damages, the suit seeks a permanent injunction that forces the NFL to end its campaign.
Dolphins for sale?
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga is discussing the sale of his struggling franchise to two real estate developers, according to a report in the Miami Herald. The newspaper said Jorge Perez of Miami confirmed that he and business partner Stephen Ross, a New York builder, are talking with Huizenga about the potential deal . . . Tony Taylor, the fourth defendant in the dogfighting conspiracy case in Richmond that led to the downfall of Michael Vick, was sentenced to two months in prison for his role. Taylor was the first to plead guilty in the case and the last to be sentenced . . . The NFL players' union has appealed the seasonlong suspension of Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, calling the punishment excessive . . . San Diego police officer Aaron Mansker won't face criminal charges for shooting and wounding former Chargers linebacker Steve Foley during a late-night confrontation in September 2006. San Diego district attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Mansker acted in self-defense . . . Vikings safety Dwight Smith was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana after his vehicle was stopped for impeding traffic at a downtown Minneapolis intersection Thursday night, according to a police report.Roethlisberger OK
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced after sitting out two days because of a sore right shoulder, a sign he expects to play tomorrow against Jacksonville. Steelers players normally must take part in the final full practice of the week before they can play on Sundays . . . Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder will miss Sunday's game against Baltimore because of a sprained right foot and a sore left knee . . . Giants safety James Butler will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury . . . Marc Bulger is back as the Rams' starting quarterback after a full week of practice with no concussion-related symptoms. Coach Scott Linehan said that Bulger, after missing two games with a concussion, would be the starter. Bulger is listed as probable for tomorrow's game against the Packers. "He looked good all week," Linehan said. "If there was any setback whatsoever for any reason, we would have Plan B available." . . . Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde missed his third consecutive practice because he was experiencing "general soreness," likely clearing the way for undrafted rookie Matt Moore to start tomorrow against the Seahawks.Titan question mark
Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who has a sore right hamstring and hasn't practiced all week, will be a game-time decision against the Chargers tomorrow . . . Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson missed practice because of a hamstring injury and was listed as questionable for tomorrow's game at Pittsburgh . . . Bills starting free safety George Wilson was placed on injured reserve, ending his season less than a week after he broke two ribs. Wilson was hurt when he was hit trying to catch a short kickoff late in the first quarter of a 38-17 win over the Dolphins last Sunday . . . Vikings receiver Bobby Wade is questionable for Minnesota's game against Chicago because of a sore knee. Wade was held out of practice with swelling in the knee he first hurt Oct. 28 against the Eagles.
