1. Up to 12 NFL teams may face blackouts
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Up to 12 NFL teams may face blackouts
Chris Ostrow
St. Johns University
Strategic Sports Management
9/8/09
Dr. Fletcher

2. Up to 12 NFL teams may face blackouts
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Up to 12 NFL teams may face blackouts
This Thursday millions of fans are tuning in to see the Titans and Steelers do battle on the
grid iron. The NFL is one of the most finically successful professional sports in America. This
Sunday most fans are wearing their favorite player’s jerseys and relaxing with a bag of chips.
For some fans this season when they go to turn on their television they may be surprised to see a
blank screen.
This is becoming a more distinct possibility as the days and hours draw closer to the
kickoff of the NFL season. “Up to four times the number of NFL teams are at risk of having at
least one of their games being blacked out locally.” ( Kaplan, D) 2009 Sports Business Journal
issue 18 volume 12 August 31-September 6th.
The blackout rules have been in place for 36 years. Last season only the St. Louis Rams,
Oakland Raiders, and the winless Detroit Lions have had blackouts take place last year. “A
game is blacked out if within 72 hours of kickoff it is not sold out. If this happens a game cannot
be broadcasted locally.” ( Kaplan, D) 2009 Sports Business Journal issue 18 volume 12 August
31-September 6th.
With the economy rearing it’s ugly head even into one of America’s most stable
businesses, is their any solutions in the near future? According to NFL spokesman Brian

3. McCarthy “The policy is important in support ability of clubs to sell tickets, and keep our games
attractive as possible. We have no plans to change our rules.” ( Kaplan, D) 2009 Sports
Business Journal issue 18 volume 12 August 31-September 6th.
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I personally think it’s absurd they expect fans in Detroit to sell out a stadium with a team
who was winless last season. Detroit has been hit the hardest by the economy, with as much as
20 percent of the city unemployed. The NFL runs advertisements all season about how
charitable they are, I guess unless it affects their profits.
Local teams such as the New York Jets haven’t sold all their tickets yet. Teams should
take note of the steps they are taking to sell out this season. “The Jets launched a prospective
buyer campaign with the fans name in a personalized video of players and executives talking
about fans as the team’s prize acquisitions.” ( Kaplan, D) 2009 Sports Business Journal issue 18
volume 12 August 31-September 6th.
In my opinion the league is still in great shape compared to the other professional sports.
Although the NFL will have a tough time selling out 97% of it’s tickets this season. If
corporations can help small market teams avoid blackouts it will be another successful season
with exciting memories that will last a lifetime.

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References
Kaplan, Daniel (2009) US Open Scores In Lean Year from the Sports Business Journal issue 18
volume 12 August 31-September 6th.