God 1, NFL 0
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
God 1, NFL 0
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
John Facenda Jr. has agreed to a settlement with NFL Films over the apparently unauthorized use of his late father's voice in 2006 television show designed to pump sales of the John Madden video football game, which is licensed by the league.
Neither side would comment on the amount of the settlement, but the NFL did not care to pursue the matter through the appeals process. The league had argued that the show was an "artistic" rather an commercial endeavor, an opinion not shared by the federal court system.
John Facenda Sr., the former Philly television anchorman whose "Voice of God" delivery helped make the work of NFL Films distinctive, died in 1984. The NFL owns his recorded work, but is not allowed to use those recordings for any product endorsement.
Facenda Jr. has been vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of his late father's work. He previous brought suit against Campbell's Soup for using a Facenda sound-alike in commercials. That suit also ended in a settlement.
"He does not want to wake up one day hearing his father's voice advertising condoms," lawyer Paul Lauricella told the Associated Press earlier in the proceedings against the NFL.
"He does not want to wake up one day hearing his father's voice advertising condoms," lawyer Paul Lauricella told the Associated Press earlier in the proceedings against the NFL. -OR he probably does not want to wake up one day and actually work for a living, so if he keeps suing and settling he should have enough free money to live rather comfortable.— Philliesin2008- That's ridiculous. The courts have ruled the NFL can't use his recorded voice in commercial advertising. Some things the NFL just can't do because of who they are. You of course notice they didn't bother appealing this ruling.— bobbyuk
- agree. In any case, the guy's entitled to safeguard the family name, in whatever situation may come up. I'd do the same to protect my dad's integrity, wouldn't you?— cblank
- Facenda Jr. cares about one thing, money. That's it, pure and simple.— Drew777
- agreed— montymiller
- agreed— montymiller
- Drew777 - what do you think these companies using his Dad's voice care about? Money, pure and simple. Good for him.— evertoexcel
- It is every parent's dream to leave their children with something that might help them financially. In this case, that something is the distinctive voice of John Facenda Sr. His son recognizes the "brand" of his dad's voice, and he must protect said brand. If your dad died and left his IRA, mutual funds, etc to you, would you not do everything in your power to protect that money, help it grow, and prevent anyone from taking it unjustly? Why should the NFL have unlimited rights to use a voice that was hired specifically for NFL Films? John Facenda Sr did not sign on with the idea that the NFL could use his voice for commercial endeavors any time they desired.— Radioheadless
Why are there so many bitter people? Perhaps, because they themselves just might be such negatively minded failures themselves. One might wonder if 'Philliesin2008" & 'Drew777' fit this sadly pathetic mold. Had been their father's voice, they would be railing loudly against NFL Films for recompense. John Facenda was and is someone very special in Philadelphia lore. His family has absolute right and responsibility to protect the use of his voice, as well as the abuse of it solely for profit by NFL Films. To the miscreants, try a little charity rather than holding so tightly to your own miserable self-images!— Nihilist
Comment removed.- The law is clear, as are the rights involved. Otherwise, we'd all be watching whatever we wanted on one channel.— Bake McBride
- Harry, cut that out.— Bob Ford
- Gonzo's mack daddy.— Gino D.
