AFL-NFL Merger Talks – Part Two

Competing with the suddenly glamorous Jets, who were a far cry from the dysfunctional Titans – the former name of the Jets franchise – was beginning to become quite a task, so the two sides came to the agreement that the Giants, regardless of their record, would get the first pick only for the 1967 NFL Draft. But they had to draft a quarterback, or they could trade the pick only for a quarterback, which they eventually did in acquiring Fran Tarkenton from Minnesota.

Points on how the four franchises in New York and San Francisco-Oakland would co-exist dominate much of the final agreement the two leagues signed:

1. In New York and San Francisco-Oakland, if one team is home and the other on the road, the home team may telecast by either TV or pay TV.

2. Prior to 1970, either the Raiders or 49ers may play on the other’s side of the bay. After that date, neither may play on the other’s side of the bay without the other’s consent.

3. The 49ers will never play more than one-half of their regular season games out of San Francisco.

4. The 49ers and Raiders will not play at night at home without each other’s consent.

5. The Giants are granted the right to use Shea Stadium on the same terms as the Jets. The Jets retain the same for Yankee Stadium.

6. The Giants request a minimum of five dates between the start of the regular season and December 1 of each year.

7. The Giants and Jets will not play night home games without each other’s consent.

8. All road games of the Giants and Jets will be telecast back to the New York area.

9. The Raiders and 49ers will play one preseason game every year.

10. Every effort must be made so that the Giants and Jets in New York and the Raiders and 49ers in the Bay Area will not conflict on TV.

11. In the Bay Area, if one team is home, the other’s road game will be televised back home.

12. In the Bay Area, all road games for both teams will be televised…