Twenty-eight days from political extinction, Wisconsin Senator Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-Wis.) reelection campaign is changing a television ad after a complaint from the NFL.You'd think the man who co-authored legislation restricting campaign advertising would know better. But I guess a guy trailing so badly hasn't got the time to worry about legalities. At the same time, I find it hilarious the NFL wants to protect an image of Randy Moss pretending to moon a bunch of cheeseheads.
Feingold's ad shows a series of football players celebrating after scores, and then accuses Republican Ron Johnson of engaging in "excessive celebration" because he leads Feingold in polls.
Feingold accuses his opponent of siding with special interests, and says the game between them is not done yet.
Most of the players in the ad are unrecognizable and do not seem to be from the NFL, but there is one notable exception sure to draw attention in football-mad Wisconsin.
The ad clearly uses 2005 footage of then-Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss pretending to moon the crowd after a crucial score in a playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Fox NFL commentator Joe Buck can also be heard stating "that is a disgusting act."
That apparently drew a complaint from the NFL, which careful monitors how images from the league are used.
"We are making an edit to the ad to accommodate the NFL’s concerns," Feingold campaign spokesman John Kraus told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
According to the Journal Sentinel, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league did not license the footage and that it requested that Feingold remove the clip.
Here's the Feingold spot:
I noticed in the video a clip of the USFL Houston Gamblers dancing in the end zone. Perhaps former USFL honcho and aspiring 2012 presidential candidate Donald Trump owns the rights to that image. He could sue Feingold and win $1 in court for his troubles.
Speaking of Moss, in a deal that makes sense for both teams, he may actually be headed back to the Vikings.
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