Google and other tech firms are going head to head with churches over the use of wireless microphones—but churches have some unlikely partners on their side: Broadway producers and the National Football League.

According to the Wall Street Journal, congregations at some of the nation's largest megachurches could be forced to endure "scratchy audio" if the Federal Communications Commission redistributes the airwaves used by wireless microphones. As it turns out, pastors' mics "aren't using just any old airwaves, but part of the spectrum best suited for carrying large amounts of data."

This spectrum is a hot commodity for tech companies such as Google that want to improve data coverage. But microphone makers argue that regulating that space will undermine "staples of American culture," including Broadway shows and the NFL (which uses wireless mics for its referees).

CT previously reported when the FCC mandated that churches must stop using wireless mics operating on the 700 MHz band. CT also has reported on the "war against indecency" on the airwaves, and on Howard Stern's accidental appearances on Christian radio frequencies.