August 6, 1956 – There used to be another major television network that had sports on TV. That was the American national broadcaster DuMont Television Network who after filing for bankruptcy in 1955, made its final broadcast, a boxing match from St. Nicholas Arena. Dumont was one of the first broadcasters to have live NFL games beamed to living rooms across the nation.
The relationship with the NFL spanned from 1951 through 1955, not exactly banner years for the NFL in terms of popularity. Had they been able to last a few more years as a network when the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants was the first ever NFL playoff game to go into sudden-death overtime. The “Greatest Game” set Professional football and television on a launch to bigger and better things.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

From Card Tables to Championships: The Lasting Influence of Casinos on Sports History
Casinos have been complex and fascinating actors in sports culture history. From sponsoring high-profile

How Sports Venues Inspired Modern Restaurant Furniture Throughout History
Not many people are aware of the close connection between the design of modern

How Fans Can Celebrate Milestones With Personalised Football Cards
Football is more than just a game; it’s a passionate lifestyle for many fans.

A Closer Look at How Boxing Matches Come Together
Boxing has long been a celebrated sport, steeped in tradition and passion. From the

The Digital Spectator: How Global Broadcast Technology Transformed Indigenous Sports into World-Class Commodities
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics changed Judo, but not because of medals. The Olympics were

Remembering the 1972 Cleveland Browns
How many NFL teams during the 1970s do you remember that lost all six

How the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes Stack Up to Historic Teams
Few programs in college football carry the kind of gritty tradition that Iowa does.

Defying Destiny: The Most Miraculous League Title Wins in Soccer History
A domestic league championship is often called the truest test in soccer. Unlike the