BMI & NAB Honor John Oates and NFL at 75th Annual Dinner (Photos)

Last night, broadcasting and music industry leaders gathered at Encore in Las Vegas, NV for a spectacular celebration of broadcasting excellence, as BMI and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) held a 75th Anniversary Dinner and the prestigious induction ceremony for new members of the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The event marked the end of BMI’s historic run hosting the dinner, with plans for NAB to continue the Hall of Fame tradition moving forward.

Part of the 2025 NAB Show, the evening honored two of the most iconic figures in broadcasting: the National Football League (NFL) in television, and legendary BMI singer/songwriter John Oates in radio. The ceremony was a tribute to their profound impact on their respective industries, both shaping the media landscape and inspiring future generations.

Television Hall of Fame Inductee: National Football League (NFL)

The NFL was inducted into the NAB Television Hall of Fame for its pioneering influence on sports broadcasting, from its early days to its role as a cultural powerhouse today. Since the first televised NFL game in 1939, the league has consistently broken barriers in the broadcasting world. NFL broadcasts have become a defining feature of American television, with Thursday Night Football, Sunday games, Monday Night Football, postseason and the Super Bowl dominating primetime TV slots and cultural conversations.

Why NFL Broadcasting Matters:

Cultural Impact: NFL games, especially the Super Bowl, are cultural landmarks. The Super Bowl has become the most-watched TV event in the U.S., captivating hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide and influencing trends in advertising, entertainment, and media. The NFL’s reach extends far beyond the game itself, shaping everything from halftime shows to national conversation.

Television Innovation: The NFL has been at the forefront of broadcast technology. Innovations such as instant replay, the telestrator (first introduced during the 1982 Super Bowl), and high-definition and 4K broadcasts have set new standards for sports coverage. These breakthroughs not only enhance the viewing experience but have also shaped the future of live sports television.

Shaping TV Schedules: The NFL has revolutionized TV programming. The league’s control of prime-time slots—Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays—has had a profound effect on the TV industry, influencing how networks schedule their most valuable programming. The NFL’s broadcasting deals have also made it one of the world’s most valuable media properties.

Multi-Platform: The league’s influence extends to multiple platforms, from traditional TV to streaming services, ensuring its place at the forefront of the media landscape.

King of the Hill: With broadcasts featuring 12-20 cameras and up to 200 crew members per game, NFL games consistently top TV viewership – During the 2024 season, NFL games ranked as 90 of the top 100 shows on television.

Rich Eisen, renowned NFL Network broadcaster and host of The Rich Eisen Show, accepted the award on behalf of the NFL, acknowledging the league’s far-reaching impact on sports broadcasting and television culture. A special video produced by NFL Films was shown, highlighting the NFL’s journey in television history, leading into Eisen’s acceptance speech and video messages from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“This event marks a historic moment for our industry, as we honor broadcasting icons whose contributions have not only shaped the media landscape but continue to inspire generations of creators and broadcasters,” said Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters. “Our honorees represent the heart of innovation, storytelling, and connection in broadcasting, and we are proud to celebrate their profound impact on television and radio.”

On BMI’s last time hosting what has become a highlight of the NAB Show, Mike O’Neill, CEO & President, BMI said, “In celebration of 75 amazing years, I can think of no better time or way to preserve the tradition of this evening than for BMI to hand it over to our incredible partners from the start, the NAB. We believe that the broadcasting industry and the creative community will always enrich one another, and BMI is honored to facilitate that vital relationship long into the future.”

O’Neill went on to introduce John Oates as the “esteemed BMI guest,” noting that the “legendary songwriter, artist, musician and producer” has been “captivating millions of global fans and influencing countless artists with his incomparable music since joining the BMI family in 1972.”

Radio Hall of Fame Inductee: John Oates

John Oates was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame for his immense contributions to American radio as an acclaimed solo artist and the co-founder of Hall & Oates, the best-selling rock duo in music history. Oates’ timeless hit songs span five decades, transcend generations, and, as a cornerstone of American radio, remain in constant rotation across multiple radio formats.

John Oates: A Radio Legacy

Enduring Influence: Oates has written and performed some of the most enduring pop and rock songs, many of which continue to be played daily on thousands of radio stations across the country.  With Hall & Oates, he perfected a unique blend of rock, pop, R&B and soul that has had an indelible impact on millions of fans and creators.

Recognition and Accolades: Over his illustrious career, Oates has been recognized with numerous industry honors and accolades, including the BMI Icon Award for his unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers and the BMI Troubadour Award, saluting his profound impact on the creative community for generations to follow. He’s also received 10 BMI Pop Awards and 30 BMI Million-Air Awards for his songs’ repeated airplay, solidifying his status as one of the most played songwriters in history. In addition, as a member of Hall & Oates, he has won numerous American Music and MTV awards, has multiple GRAMMY nominations, and was inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ongoing Influence: Oates’ long-lasting success can be attributed to his ability to creatively evolve while maintaining his distinctive style that continues to engage listeners across multiple formats, solidifying his legacy as a hitmaker for generations to come.

In accepting the award, Oates thanked the NAB for the honor and talked about the importance of radio in his life, sharing that the music played on the stations he listened to growing up was “indelibly printed on my soul, my mind, and it’s the music that made me.

I owe everything to radio.” He then performed six songs, including the Hall & Oates hits “Out of Touch” and “She’s Gone,” as well as his solo hits, including “Mending” and “Pushin’ a Rock.” Oates then treated guests with “A Ways Away,” an unreleased song from his forthcoming album slated for release later this year and ended the performance with a rousing rendition of the Ray Charles classic, “I Got A Woman.”

NAB and BMI’s Partnership

The event marked the final collaboration between BMI and NAB for the 75th Anniversary Dinner. Moving forward, NAB will continue the Hall of Fame legacy independently with its Broadcasting Hall of Fame ceremony, ensuring the continued celebration of broadcasting excellence.

In addition to poignant remarks by BMI’s O’Neill and NAB’s LeGeyt, the induction ceremony also included remarks by Perry Sook, Chairman and CEO of Nexstar Media Group and Joint Board Chair of NAB, and Collin Jones, President of Westwood One and Radio Board Chair of NAB.

NAB Show also unveiled the winners of its distinguished 2025 Product of the Year and newly established Project of the Year Awards during a special ceremony during the 2025 NAB Show. These honors spotlight the most innovative and forward-thinking new products showcased on the exhibit floor in 2025 and projects delivered in 2024. They celebrated breakthrough solutions shaping the future of media, entertainment and technology.