Issue ads? Not if they’re about labor negotiations

by David Safier

I see all kinds of TV ads from groups pushing agendas. The ads against taxing sugar drinks come to mind. So do the pro-oil/pro-coal ads. I know there are countless others.

But if the NFL Players Association want to run an ad called "Let Us Play" against a player lockout if negotiations break down in collective bargaining agreements? CBS refused to run it, even though it had been scheduled to air February 5 during the NFLPA All-Star Game.

Please, no carping about overpaid, over-pampered sports figures, unless you're going to say the same — and more — about oil companies and the soft drink industries. Why some groups are allowed to spend good money to promote their points of view while others are shut out is . . . well, it's the difference between promoting the interests of the true fat cats, big business, and promoting the interests of those who big business is forced to pay big salaries — and promoting a pro-labor, pro-union agenda to boot. Think of how much more the owners would make if athletes worked for 1950s wages again.

Here's the ad.