Earth to league: Seriously, it's time to get rid of the ridiculous blackout rule. It's an injustice to fans who want to watch their favorite teams, it is outdated, and it only further reinforces the notion that NFL owners are the greediest businessmen in sports.
And it is especially evident here locally as the Raiders can't be seen on local TV, even mindless "pre-season games." The 49ers are another story, (we'll get to that) but if their attendance numbers don't improve soon, you may be introduced to a two-team blackout here in the Bay Area.
The NFL is in a league-wide attendance abyss. Season ticket sales are down across the board in almost all markets, with few exceptions. Blackouts galore in Jacksonville, Detroit, Tampa, Atlanta, San Diego, Miami, do you detect a pattern here?
Nothing wrong with that, as all of us football fans like more ball, but sooner or later, the league has to come to grips that the stadiums, by and large, are not being sold out.
Sure, the Pittsburgh's, the Cowboys, the Jets/Giants, Green Bay's etc, have waiting lists and routinely sell out games and never have to worry about their games being shown on local TV. They are the exception.
The NFL one day will have to confront the very real problem of the big-market teams not being able to show their games. The Jets/Giants have a new billion-dollar-plus facility and have still not sold out their building. (Have you seen the prices?) Only corporations buying some cheap seats have been able to get their first game on the air. Like to see what the league will do if both NY teams have attendance problems and can't sell out their stadium.
Locally, its no surprise that, in spite of large rows of empty seats, the 49ers continue to be on local TV. Why? The league allows teams to buy unsold tickets for thirty cents on the dollar and so far, the Niners have been players.
The Raiders too, unless the ticket count is above the 10,000 avail. ladder.
Whatever, its high time to end this dumb idea that is the subject of near-universal ridicule. The league can do its fans a favor and pick up a bountiful basket of positive public relations in the process.
**NOTE: I will guest at 5 PM tonight on "Chronicle Live" on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, hosted by Greg Papa. It will be repeated at 11 PM. Comcast airs on cable Channel 40 and Direct TV Channel 696/698
D.Bruce will also be on. Gee,I wonder whom you two will chismez about?
ReplyDeleteRich excellent comments, you are so right on!
ReplyDeleteThe cost ($400) of attending a game is one factor. The more significant factor is that the quality of the televised product is too good, and getting even better. Sitting 40 rows above the 40 yard line simply cannot compare to watching on a large tv screen.
ReplyDeleteCould Papa have made it any clearer your not his favorite person? wow,he started by not introducing you equally with Bruce and Killion,THEN kept his back turned to you as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteBut,if Comcast's GM had a brain,he would hire you to do a weekly 10~ minutes on sports media. Some non company opinions would be welcomed by viewers for a change.
I will watch every Raiders home game live this year on the internet. Good luck shutting these guys down. They are based in Sweden. And there are no laws against streaming games there.
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