# Why doesn't the NFL release classic games on video? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495 "2003-05-06T20:23:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/1 "2003-05-06T20:23:57Z")
Wouldn’t it be cool (not to mention a boon for the NFL) if they released classic games on DVD? From regular season games to classic championship games. I’d particularly love to see them put out the 1990 NFC championship game (Giants-49ers). Any idea why they don’t do this? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/2 "2003-05-06T20:38:10Z")
I’m sure someone will come along and say that there is a way of getting Classic NFL games on video (though maybe not on DVD), but, while we’re waiting, check out [NFL Films TV](http://ww2.nfl.com/nflfilmstv/), and do a search for “1990 NFC Championship.” There’s an NFL Films highlights package there, though I don’t know how good it is, 'cause my server stopped up when I tried to watch it. –Signed, Steelers fan who’s never seen the “Immaculate Reception” game in its entirety ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/3 "2003-05-06T21:07:09Z")
Not just the NFL, but every sport should do this. With multiple commentary tracks: the original commentary, coaches commentaries, players commentary, the radio broadcast, etc. Market it to women looking for birthday and Father’s Day and anniversary presents for their men. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/4 "2003-05-06T22:12:24Z")
My initial guess is that a lot of the old games don’t have the original broadcast commentary still with the film. NFL Films shoots separately from the networks. If NFL Films were to sell a tape of a complete game, they would have to re-edit it from the thousands of feet of film they shoot for each game. They would need to find an original commentary for the game. Most NFL Films productions use local radio announcers and not the Fox/CBS/ABC/NBC announcers. Another problem is just how much exists. There are no existing copies of Super Bowls I or II I believe. The oldest intact telecast of a Super Bowl is III. Super Bowl I was telecast on two networks (CBS and NBC) and neither of them kept the tape. Those games are on the Museum of TV and Radio’s “Most Wanted” list. A third factor is the presence of ESPN Classic. That network has likely purchased as many old games as it can and probably doesn’t want to sell them to the masses. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/5 "2003-05-06T23:18:17Z")
OK, so I just watched the NFL Films TV highlights package for the game **House** mentioned. Brilliant. NFL Films rules. ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/6 "2003-05-06T23:54:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BobT \* > \*\*My initial guess is that a lot of the old games don’t have the original broadcast commentary still with the film. > > NFL Films shoots separately from the networks. If NFL Films were to sell a tape of a complete game, they would have to re-edit it from the thousands of feet of film they shoot for each game. They would need to find an original commentary for the game. Most NFL Films productions use local radio announcers and not the Fox/CBS/ABC/NBC announcers. > > Another problem is just how much exists. There are no existing copies of Super Bowls I or II I believe. The oldest intact telecast of a Super Bowl is III. Super Bowl I was telecast on two networks (CBS and NBC) and neither of them kept the tape. Those games are on the Museum of TV and Radio’s “Most Wanted” list.\*\* Super Bowl II does exist on tape. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/7 "2003-05-07T01:24:43Z")
I was just thinking how great it would be to be able to buy classic games from Major League Baseball. I’d spring, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90db22/32.png) [@House](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/House)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/8 "2003-05-07T16:37:09Z")
Cool link. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/9 "2003-05-07T19:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Payton’s Servant \* > \*\*Super Bowl II does exist on tape. \*\* Wow- I thought Al Davis had tracked down every copy and burned them all! ---
**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/10 "2003-05-08T02:22:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BobT \* > \*\*Another problem is just how much exists. There are no existing copies of Super Bowls I or II I believe. The oldest intact telecast of a Super Bowl is III. Super Bowl I was telecast on two networks (CBS and NBC) and neither of them kept the tape. Those games are on the Museum of TV and Radio’s “Most Wanted” list. \*\* Why not? Didn’t anyone set the VCR? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-nfl-release-classic-games-on-video/173495/11 "2003-05-08T06:04:44Z")
Noble Romans pizza used to run NFL Films material at one time (in between old silent comedies). I haven’t been in a Noble Romans in years, so I don’t know if they still do.