CBS declines to run ad submitted by NFL players union

CBS is refusing to air an ad by the National Football League players union that seeks to rally public opposition to a lockout by team owners. The network is one of four that combined to pay the league as much as $4 billion a year for television rights, and union officials have suggested the ad was pulled in deference to the networks' financial ties to the NFL. "I'm confused and frankly a little irritated," said George Atallah, a spokesman for the players union. He said the union was informed that CBS College Sports was refusing to run the ad because of "the content." The spot, which was to run on CBS College Sports Network during a college all-star football game on Saturday, shows darkened stadiums and empty locker rooms interspersed with somber fans urging viewers to "Let Them Play."