AP - Lions blacked out on local TV

[HapHaszard]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4500240&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions failed to sell all their tickets for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, meaning there will be a TV blackout in some local markets.

Team spokesman Bill Keenist said Thursday the game will be blacked out in the Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw-Flint and Toledo, Ohio, markets.

More than 10,000-plus tickets were available on Wednesday.

Last week, the Lions were able to sell 1,700 tickets for the home game against Minnesota. No such luck this time.

click on the link

[ThisSplitLip]

I'm assuming Sunday Ticket will still have the game? Was gonna put my dignity on the line and head to the sports bar to watch Sunday.

[HapHaszard]

I'm assuming Sunday Ticket will still have the game? Was gonna put my dignity on the line and head to the sports bar to watch Sunday.

Its only blacked out in the Detroit area.

[CounterTrey]

Sunday ticket even in the detroit area will be blacked out...

[Toe Jam]

I think this kind of sucks.

That area of the country has really been hit hard by the economic downturn.

I think it's wrong to black the game out. Maybe that's just me, though.

[pez]

I think this kind of sucks.

That area of the country has really been hit hard by the economic downturn.

I think it's wrong to black the game out. Maybe that's just me, though.

No... I agree with you too...

It's sad really when you think about it, because at this point, all these fans can afford is to watch their team on TV and now that is being taken away...

Dad: Sorry kids... we really can't afford to go to anymore games.

Kids: oh man (sorrowfully)

Dad: We can still see them play on TV

NFL: (swoops in) Sorry folks... your community is too poor to sell out your stadium, so to punish you for the bad situation you are in, we aren't going to let you see your team on TV. Have a nice day!

Dad & Kids: You suck!

[superozman]

Can someone tell me the purpose of the blackout? Why do they do this? Another reason I hate the NFL as a business.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Can someone tell me the purpose of the blackout? Why do they do this? Another reason I hate the NFL as a business.

The idea behind blackouts is that fans who live within the team's locality will be forced to buy tickets if they want to see a game that is undersold. Stadium attendance is a more valuable source of revenue to teams than the local broadcast.

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

No... I agree with you too...

It's sad really when you think about it, because at this point, all these fans can afford is to watch their team on TV and now that is being taken away...

Dad: Sorry kids... we really can't afford to go to anymore games.

Kids: oh man (sorrowfully)

Dad: We can still see them play on TV

NFL: (swoops in) Sorry folks... your community is too poor to sell out your stadium, so to punish you for the bad situation you are in, we aren't going to let you see your team on TV. Have a nice day!

Dad & Kids: You suck!

I won't lie pez, that made me laugh a little on the inside. But, I can share the sympathy.

[Skins2Win33]

Interesting, considering some are expecting Detroit to beat us. Maybe the fans know its not going to happen, so why buy tickets, LOL.

[mdpell]

who in detroit needs to watch this game anyway? all of sports media is already proclaiming them the winner.

[blue collar]

The idea behind blackouts is that fans who live within the team's locality will be forced to buy tickets if they want to see a game that is undersold. Stadium attendance is a more valuable source of revenue to teams than the local broadcast.

The blackout rule was instituted back in the day when attendance was much more important than it is today. Back then, attendance was the only way teams made money. Now with these billion dollar TV contracts and the popularity of the games, there's really no need for this blackout rule.

[terpfan]

I agree that a blackout in this particular situation seems a little ****ty...

[addicted]

No... I agree with you too...

It's sad really when you think about it, because at this point, all these fans can afford is to watch their team on TV and now that is being taken away...

Dad: Sorry kids... we really can't afford to go to anymore games.

Kids: oh man (sorrowfully)

Dad: We can still see them play on TV

NFL: (swoops in) Sorry folks... your community is too poor to sell out your stadium, so to punish you for the bad situation you are in, we aren't going to let you see your team on TV. Have a nice day!

Dad & Kids: You suck!

That's horrible and I feel you. I think the NFL should lift the ban for this game and every game until they win one. Detroit deserves that

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

This has more to do with the team being one of, if not the, worst teams ever than the poor economy around here.

Regardless, most of the fans still left will just watch it on the intraweb anyway.

[pez]

This has more to do with the team being one of, if not the, worst teams ever than the poor economy around here.

Regardless, most of the fans still left will just watch it on the intraweb anyway.

You figure that alot of folks in those areas are tight for cash... alot of them are most likely NOT shelling out for broadband right now...

[santana_4_prez]

Hopefully there will be a lot of Burgundy and gold in the crowd.

[RedskinInExile]

I think this kind of sucks.

That area of the country has really been hit hard by the economic downturn.

I think it's wrong to black the game out. Maybe that's just me, though.

It feels wrong to me, too. You'd think the powers the be within the NFL might relax those blackout rules during these rough times-- especially in Detroit.

[InsaneBoost]

Sucks for them, but that's the NFL.

[Arsenic]

So.. how much are tickets to the game?

And.. How far is the drive fo us? :D

[pez]

So.. how much are tickets to the game?

And.. How far is the drive fo us? :D

Think it is around 8 hrs...

[Cooley4President]

So.. how much are tickets to the game?

And.. How far is the drive fo us? :D

Last year I got 4 tickets in the front row for less than $50 a piece, right behind the Redskins bench.

[HA1LV1CT0RY]

That's retarded. What a stupid rule.

[RFKFedEx]

Stadium attendance is a more valuable source of revenue to teams than the local broadcast.

Not all teams. The Redskins and Cowboys don't care about selling every ticket the way the Lions, Raiders, and Bengals do. The wealthy clubs would lose way to much $ if they were to black out a game. Look at the teams and the owners who enforce/take advantage of the blackout rule option. It's the smaller market, lower revenue clubs who like to pocket that extra money from the ticket sales. Club owners like the Fords and the Browns.

The Fords will gladly take their 1/32nd share of the leagues TV revenue pie, but they don't care about contributing to their 1/32nd share to the pot. Why should they care when their tv revenue welfare checks are gauranteed from teams like the entire NFCE.

[surfersvida]

Did you see that guys? The thread title says that some of the Lions' were blacked out on local TV! How irresponsible of them...

How could we lose to players with such irresponsible behavior?

[SJValleySkinz]

Week one there was a couple of games I didn't get on Sunday Ticket. I never bothered to check if it was because my local CBS and Fox stations were broadcasting those games or due to a local blackout. Does anyone know for sure if the blackout will effect out of market viewers?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Blackouts only affect the home city and even then, it's only within the 75 mile stadium radius.

[RFKFedEx]

Blackouts only affect the home city and even then, it's only within the 75 mile stadium radius.

Props to you and anyone else who claims to be a Lions fan.:welcome:
You guys have had to put up w/ a lifetime of hell.


What was it like in the Silverdome days when they had 80,000 general admission seats to sell, and seldom sold out? Were there blackouts for most home games?

I know the Lions had not had a blackout since Ford Field opened until last year. Ford Field is the best of the indoor domes I've visited, but not worth $80 per seat 10 games a year for a horrid team. I don't blame you guys.

[authentic]

Its only blacked out in the Detroit area.

...Yeah, i heard this earlier. The idiot Andy Polin didn't give specifics, he just said that "The game will be blacked out"...It gave me the impression that it would be blacked out in this area as well.

[Toe Jam]

Blackouts only affect the home city and even then, it's only within the 75 mile stadium radius.

My sympathies.

Your username is hilarious btw.

[RenegadeTK]

sucks to be a detroit area skins fan this week.... suck to be a lions fan at all times

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Blackouts are nothing new here, but haven't been the norm in over 15 years. For as futile as this franchise has become, it isn't surprising and they're obviously well-deserved.

It's sad what the NFL has allowed WCF to do to the fans of this city. Did I mention that Parcells called WCF personally wanting to run the team but Ford Sr. passed, choosing to stick with Millen instead?

Good call.

[Schizlor]

Ford should step in and buy the rest of the tickets so they can watch it.

Hell, it's our money they'd be laying out anyway (bailout $)