Tampa Blacked Out - Again

[Pan-Fan]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2010-09-23/will-bucs-week-3-home-game-be-blacked-out

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10870992/1/another-week-another-tv-blackout-for-nfl.html

Carolina has problems and an 0-2 start can be blamed for the lack of "fire" by the fan base. But at least we had 65,000-68,000 in attendance for the home opener (obviously didn't stay for the entire game) and we're sold out or the Bengals (weather will keep some fans at home) BUT...if we were 2-0...i have no doubt the staidum would be packed. Bucs still can't sell out? Not good.

And so many other teams are in strained situations. No team is above a blackout with a bad team....some are in trouble with decent teams.

Football viewership is changing.

[Primetime 89]

I blame soccer...

[The_Cannon]

I don't think its football viewership. Its just that its so much cheaper and more convenient to watch a game at home. I sit in the lower 500's at BOA and it was hot as balls outside last week. Add that to the fact that the cheapest beer you can get is $6.75 and all you can watch is one game, alot of people would rather watch it at home where they can eat all they want, drink all they want and be able to flip the channels between games in the comfort of their own couch and air conditioning.

I wouldn't trade the in person fan experience for anything but I'm the first to admit that it can very experience especially for families. I don't know what owners can do to improve attendance but I think its going to take more than just lowering prices to get people in seats. I know the Panthers are lucky to rarely go through blackouts because in addition to PSL's a lot of companies in the past buy block seats.

[CBDellinger]

the nfl has created quite the ticket bubble.

cowherd has been harping on how the NFL live experience is losing its luster. He thinks soon you will get exclusive info, like play calling, broadcast into the luxury suites at the stadiums in an effort to draw people to the game.

[Henne Given Sunday]

florida is owned by the dolphins. tampa is just unlucky......ask jacksonville.

[The_Cannon]

And these damn parking decks charging $20, $25 I've even seen a $30 lot...its crazy

[Henne Given Sunday]

seriously, i was in orlando last week. jacksonville, tampa, and miami all had 1 o'clock games. miami was the "local" game on tv in orlando. haha.

[The_Cannon]

I can believe it. Aren't the Jags going through a similar situation?

[Pan-Fan]

I agree with you. I also sit in the lower 500's and it was hot. And expensive. Does make it difficult to hang and watch bad play....for any team.

I think the NFL has to give you as much as they can from the home experience (fantasy checks, better replays, etc) but also needs to figure out how to billboard the experiences you can only get at the game.

Tailgating, different access, etc. I don't know what it is....but they better find it. The very thing that built the league may force a sacrifice of itself.

[The_Cannon]

Yea they'd be better off doing(Family packs that include food)or "event" games like you see at MLB and NBA stadiums to get more families and stuff in games.

[Guest DrewBreesIsGod]

It's such a good fan experience at home now...it's becoming more logical just to pay for the NFL package..etc and stay home, watch it in HD versus dropping 500 bones for crappy hot dogs and overpriced brews. NFL is doing it to themselves. On top of this, Florida has been hit hard by this recession. People have lost their ass on the housing market.

[Brooklyn Bully]

If I didn't have my great 300 seats on the shady side, and someone offered me seats in the 500s on the sunny side, I'd rather stay at home. I don't blame some people for not going. Some seats at BOA suck big time when it's hot.

[Snake]

I just like watching it at home more. I get a up close view that I could not afford in the stadium. I get to wake up late to watch it and thats a big plus when you work on sat nights. Also as said before food and drinks are free and line free also. The Bathroom is just a step away so I dont miss any of the game. I mean being at the game is really fun and different from watching on TV but TV also has its advantages.

[Panthro]

its hot as balls there. they will do better when its not 100 out.

They should schedule teams in areas like that at 4pm. you'd see more sell outs..