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
Sports History On This Day: May 14
May 14, 1913 – Washington Senator pitcher Walter Johnson, had his amazing MLB record of scoreless innings
Sports History On This Day: May 13
May 13, 1905 – World heavyweight boxing champion James J. Jeffries retired undefeated after 7 title defenses.
The Legend of Taro Tsujimoto and the 1974 NHL Draft
Drafts have been going on now in professional sports leagues for decades and occasionally,
Sports History On This Day: May 12
May 12, 1979 – Women’s tennis star Chris Evert Lloyd had her amazing run of 125 matches
Sports History On This Day: May 11
May 11, 1893 – Early bicycle enthusiast, Henri Desgrange, established the very first bicycle world record, traveling
Where It All Started: The Brickyard
In this inaugural episode of “Tim Coffeen Talks Indy Car and Racing History,” Tim
1970s New York Yankees World Series Hangover
From 1976 to 1978, the New York Yankees won three American League Pennants and
Sports History On This Day: May 10
May 10, 1967 – We all probably remember Hammerin’ Hank Aaron for his launching balls over the