September 30, 1939: The First Live TV Broadcast of American Football

On September 30, 1939, Fordham University defeated Waynesburg 34–7 in a college football game at Triborough Stadium on Randall’s Island, New York. While Fordham dominated on the field, the true significance of this game was that it became the first televised American football game in history. Broadcast by NBC in conjunction with RCA’s showcase at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the game was televised to around 1,000 television sets within a 50-mile radius of New York City.

Waynesburg struck first with a 63-yard touchdown run early in the game, but Fordham quickly gained control. Fordham’s offense excelled, scoring in every quarter and accumulating 337 total yards compared to Waynesburg’s 157. Fordham’s defense also blocked punts and forced an interception, securing their 34-7 victory.

This broadcast marked a watershed moment in sports history. It was the beginning of a new era in sports consumption, as fans could now watch the game from home. This pivotal moment in sports broadcasting led to the first televised professional football game just a month later, and laid the foundation for the massive sports media industry that thrives today