Possiblity of NFL Blackouts

Ride the Pine · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 07:20 AM

Watching Mike and Mike this morning, they brought up the subject of TV blackouts in the NFL. Apparently, it's looking as if many fans may miss their team's home games due to the NFL rule that a game will be blacked out locally if the game isn't sold out 72 hours in advance. I thought it was an interesting subject. I think the NFL is going to HAVE to find a way around this to prevent themselves from hurting the league long-term in this economy. While I don't think it's the NFL's problem, I do think they will do themselves a huge service by making sure they maintain as many fans as possible for the long-term viability of the league.

Taydeezy · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 02:23 PM

Supposedly there are about 10 teams that are very concerned about not being able to sell out all their home games. The NFL has said they have no plans on adjusting the rules. I really dont see them changing unless this goes beyond next season. One season with blackouts wont kill the league. However having a few seasons with a lot of blackouts will devalue the NFL's TV deal, which is their bread and butter, and they will be forced to make some changes.

Ride the Pine · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 03:01 PM

For sure. The reason I think something should be done now is because you never know what the economy will do. You know the old saying that things have to get worse before they get better? Well, what if the worst is yet to come? The NFL would be doing themselves a favor to cover themselves in case that very scenario were to play out. In business, you are more successful the more you plan ahead for the best possible outcome given a set of possible circumstances. I just think they can help themselves out here.

Taydeezy · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 05:44 PM

The NFL basically has the hometown fans by the balls and tells them to buy tickets, or they can't see the game. It screws over fans who can't afford NFL tickets. It also forces the teams in trouble to lower their ticket prices, so the game isn't blacked out.

It doesn't directly benefit anyone, but it is basically blackmail the NFL uses against the fans.

Ride the Pine · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 08:45 PM

It is, but they won't be doing themselves any favors in these small markets where fans can't really afford to buy tickets to begin with. Goodell could go a long way in helping win over some of the fans who feel he's inconsistent in his rulings and more concerned with being a disciplinarian than running a league. Don't get me wrong, I see what he's trying to do with the conduct policy, but it seems like he worries about it more than some of the stuff more important in the league. Not to mention the atrocious ruling he made about "Spygate" several years ago... it was atrocious because the Patriots got a slap on the wrist, then he turned around and took half of Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson's pay for taking a prescribed substance to manage his diabetes. It wasn't too heavily publicized, but I bet you remember it, you seem pretty on top of things.