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NFL Not Changing Local Blackout Policy

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Sep 1, 2009 12:10 pm US/Eastern

NFL Not Changing Local Blackout Policy

Reporting
Tim Kephart
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NEW YORK (CBS4) ―

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The NFL said it is not considering making any alterations to its blackout policy that prevents a home team from showing a game in the home market if the game is not a sellout. In 2008, three teams had a collective nine games blacked out, according to the Sports Business Journal. All three of the teams, Oakland, Detroit, and St. Louis, played some of the worst football in the league. But this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars will likely have all of their home games blacked out in Jacksonville.

Much of the problems with games not selling out are high ticket prices and the ongoing recession, which has completely taken away most fans disposable incomes to purchase tickets. According to the article in the Sports Business Journal, 10 to 12 teams in the NFL are at risk to not sell out every game. To avoid a blackout, games must be sold out within 72 hours of kickoff, though the NFL has granted extensions in the past to teams that are close to selling out.

"The policy (blackout) is important in supporting the ability of the clubs to sell tickets and keeping our games attractive as television programming with large crowds so we can keep all our games on free TV," NFL spokesman said in a statement to Sports Business Journal.

While the full list of teams at risk of blackout is not known, among the teams that could be on the list include the Jaguars, Lions, Raiders, Rams and even teams like the San Diego Chargers. Three of teams were some of the worst in the NFL last season, but San Diego and Jacksonville could be on the verge of challenging for the NFL playoffs in the 2009 season.

The Miami Dolphins, whose official station is CBS4, could be on the list as well. In an e-mail to USA Today, Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said he doesn't expect any games to be blacked out, but couldn't rule them out completely.

One trick many teams have used to avoid blackouts is having local companies purchase the remaining inventory days before the game, but just like the general public, companies may not have the cash on hand to make large purchases of tickets.