The final night of the RNC convention also happens to be the opening of the 2008 NFL season. NBC will be televising the Washington Redskins vs. the New York Giants game on Thursday, Sept. 4, the same night Sen. John McCain accepts the nomination of his party. The game, scheduled to begin at 7pmET, was moved up an hour given the happenings in St. Paul that night.
But with McCain expected to deliver his acceptance speech in the 10pmET hour, what happens if the game runs late or into overtime?
An insider tells TVNewser NBC News has been working closely with NBC Sports as well as the RNC and if the game goes long, NBC will stay with the season opener and McCain would most likely delay his speech. Given the potentially huge lead-in of the Super Bowl champions taking on a division rival, from two of the largest TV markets in the U.S., it could only benefit the campaign.
NBC has set aside the 10pmET hour each night of both conventions for NBC News coverage.