There is an issue that New England Patriot fans in Maine need to become aware of that goes beyond the battle between the NFL and the big cable companies over the NFL Network. This issue is what the NFL considers to be the New England Patriots’ “home market.”

When an NFL game is broadcast on a cable channel, ESPN or The NFL Network, it is also broadcast on network television in the teams’ “home market.” The NFL considers the Patriots’ home market stations to be WCVB in Boston and WMUR in Manchester N.H. Both are ABC affiliates.

I questioned a local ABC affiliate on the issue. It responded that it had attempted to acquire the rights to broadcast the game between the Patriots and the New York Giants, due to be seen on the NFL Network. The request was denied because the station is not part of the Patriots’ “home market.”

Patriots fans in Maine should be outraged at the NFL. The NFL obviously believes that Patriots fans only reside in southern New England. The team is the New England Patriots, not the Boston or Manchester Patriots.

The Patriots’ “home market” should include all of New England.

Joe Whelan, Lewiston