The NFL has maintained a black out policy that states that at home games cannot be televised locally if it is not sold out within 72 hours prior to the start time of the game. The NFL considers locally as within 75 miles of the stadium (there are some exceptions). In 2005, for the first time, the NFL lifted the blackout for the New Orleans Saints because of the damage that had been done to the city from Hurricane Katrina, according to Wikipedia.
NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell was asked on Thursday if the NFL would consider changing the NFL rules on TV blackouts in local markets in which games are not sold out. They referred to the fact that this could be a big problem in Jacksonville and San Diego, according to NFL Fanhouse.
At that same meeting on Thursday, Goddell commented that as much as 20% of NFL games could be blacked out this year (compared to 5% in years past). This would be mainly due to the economy and the fact that people just aren’t buying tickets like they have in the past, according to JockStocks.
"That blackout policy has been in place for several decades, and it's been a very good thing for the fans and for the teams," Goodell said, and NFL Fanhouse reported.
Mark Fightmaster from JockStocks said: “When economic times are tough, people need to make some changes. NFL fans will not be able to see their home teams play thanks to some economic concerns - but the League doesn't care. While the NFL is the best football you can see (according to some), an uncaring facade could drive some fans away from the pro game and right into the arms of the best football on the face of the Earth - college football.”
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