And we always thought things in Europe are more liberal. I just came across the following article which was published on sportsbusiness.com.
Lithuanian TV broadcasters were forced to cancel live coverage of Euroleague basketball matches due to a new law banning prime-time advertising of alcohol.
The law, which took effect on January 1, 2008, bans all alcohol-related ads and symbols on television from 6 am to 11 pm.
Many Lithuanian club sides are sponsored by breweries and Lithuania has two teams competing in the Euroleague tournament – Zalgiris and Lietuvos Rytas. Broadcasters are only able to offer delayed-as-live coverage of European basketball’s top club competition from 11pm.
Just imagine the United States would have this law .. No more advertising for Budweiser on TV – can you imagine? This is like taking away the “N” from the NBA..