In July 1986, syndicated newspaper columnist Gary Deeb reported on the possibility ABC might not renew their broadcast rights to Monday Night Football (MNF), then the league's top-rated program, unless NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle agreed to lower the television rights fee significantly. The previous contract was set in 1981 when the annual inflation was at a substantial 13 percent, a rate that fell to 3–4 percent by 1986, in turn, causing ABC Sports to lose $40 million.
In July 1986, syndicated newspaper columnist Gary Deeb reported on the possibility of ABC not renewing their broadcast rights for Monday Night Football (MNF) unless NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle agreed to lower the television rights fee significantly. This was due to a previous contract signed in 1981 when inflation was high at 13%, which had fallen to 3-4% by 1986, resulting in ABC Sports losing $40 million.