New York, Boston stations remain upset with simulcast

Three local TV stations thought they had one of the NFL's biggest games all to themselves. When the potentially historic Patriots-Giants matchup landed on their competitors as well, they accused the league of violating their contracts.

The NFL and the stations were "working through contractual issues" on Thursday, league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

"We are having private and confidential conversations with the NFL, and are very hopeful that this unfortunate situation can be worked out to our satisfaction, in light of the fact we do have a valid contract for exclusive broadcast rights to the Patriots vs. Giants game in the Boston market," said Bill Fine, the president and general manager of Boston ABC affiliate WCVB.

WCVB and Manchester, N.H., station WMUR, which are owned by the same company, as well as New York station WWOR, had won bidding processes for the right to simulcast NFL Network games involving local teams.

To allow fans to see their local teams on free TV, the league simulcasts games on the NFL Network and ESPN in clubs' home markets.

Outside of the Boston and New York areas, the game was originally scheduled to be broadcast only on the NFL Network, which is available in fewer than 40 percent of the nation's TV homes.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced the matchup would also be aired simultaneously on CBS and NBC.

"The NFL is in clear violation of their agreement with WWOR/My9," the station said in a statement Wednesday. "We fully expect the league to honor their commitment to My9 as the exclusive free over-the-air broadcaster for Saturday's telecast of the New England Patriots at New York Giants game."

The NFL maintained the game would not be blacked out on CBS and NBC in the Boston and New York areas.

"We inquired about that, but CBS and NBC said it didn't work for them; they needed to clear the game nationally or it didn't work," Aiello said.

Aiello said he expected that the game would still air on three local channels plus the NFL Network in the Boston and New York areas.

The NFL has feuded with major cable companies over their refusal to include the network in a basic package.

Harrison finally practices: Eight-time Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison returned to practice with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday after missing 10 games.

Harrison took part in a full practice Thursday and may be available for limited work against Tennessee on Sunday night.

Harrison has not played since Oct. 22 because of a left knee injury. The lingering injury that he suffered against Denver on Sept. 30 has forced Harrison to miss 10 games this season, the last nine in a row. It has been unclear whether Harrison would play again this season.

Whether Harrison plays Sunday may dictate how many snaps Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning gets. On Monday, Dungy said if Harrison played this week he might keep Manning in the game longer to work on their timing.

To QB or not QB? Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't practice with the starting offense for the second day in a row Thursday, a sign he is unlikely to play in the team's final regular-season game Sunday in Baltimore.

With the Steelers (10-5) already assured of playing a home playoff game Jan. 5 or 6, it appears unlikely coach Mike Tomlin will risk Roethlisberger aggravating the right ankle he sprained late in the team's 41-24 win at St. Louis on Dec. 20.

Earlier Thursday, Roethlisberger was chosen as the AFC offensive player of the week for going 16 of 20 for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns against St. Louis. He also had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 for the second time this season.