Ben Gilbert: uncertainty

Transcript context

…Right, it's actual monopoly versus collusion. The first one was collusion, right? This is creating a monopoly. Rozelle and the NFL are calling on all the favors they can get, but the bill that will allow them to do this is stuck in committee. Here's the paragraph out of America's Game. Rozelle, seeking a way to break the log jam, called his friend, David Dixon, to see if he knew a North Louisiana Congressman on the committee. For someone as sophisticated as Pete, he was rather naive when it came to politics, said Dixon. He eventually finds his way to the House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, who is an old fraternity brother of Dixon's at Tulane. And he said, "I can find the votes for this." I'm going to quote this again. "Walking up the stairs of the rotunda when the vote looked like a sure thing, Rozelle was ever his usual humble self. Congressman Boggs, I don't know how I can ever thank you enough for this. This is a terrific thing you've done. What do you mean you don't know how to thank me?" He said, "New Orleans gets an immediate franchise in the NFL." And Rozelle says, "I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen." At that, Boggs stopped and turned on his heels, heading back into the committee room. "Well, we could always call off the vote while you, Rozelle, took two giant strides after Boggs, turned around him gently, and said, "It's a deal, Congressman. You'll get your franchise." Amazing.…

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