By Kevin McCauley
CBS Sports has rejected a "Let Us Play" ad from the National Football League Players Assn. that was to air Feb. 5.
The NFLPA created the ad to rally public support for its side in the labor squabble with the NFL, a standoff that could result in a lockout this year.
The ad shows locked gates, empty lockers, dark stadiums with players saying "Let Us Play," and fans saying "Let Them Play."
CBS and Fox, NBC, ESPN and DirecTV pay $4B to the NFL for television rights. CBS decided to refuse the ad because it didn't want to appear at take sides in the labor tussle.
The networks' deal with the NFL calls for the continued payment for TV rights even if the games are canceled. The NFLPA has filed a suit against the NFL, charging that arranged is "lockout insurance."
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