There’s a belief in some circles that the NFL will break its silence on HBO’s Ballers if/when the series is renewed for a second season.
The if has become a when, and the when has become a right now. HBO has renewed the series after only three episodes.
The press release announcing the move says that the premiere episode generated 8.9 million viewers among HBO’s various platforms, including broadcast and digital. Another 5.6 million have watched the show via Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Facebook page.
Apart from the manner in which the show depicts professional football players (with the stereotypical sex, drugs, booze, fighting, and gambling), the show uses NFL team names and logos without consent. HBO believes permission isn’t legally required.
Neither the league nor the Dolphins, the team featured most prominently in the show, has commented on any aspect of the show; however, the NFL earlier this week asked fans questions about the show in an online survey.
If the theory that the NFL was waiting for a second season to be ordered before reacting to the show is correct, a reaction should be coming soon.
The issue extends beyond whether HBO is infringing on protected trademarks. The NFL and HBO have a long-term partnership through the Hard Knocks series. The league could threaten not to renew the contract, or the league could claim that the unauthorized use of team names and logos breaches specific terms of the NFL-HBO deal.