Colts declare blackout plan remains 100 percent

[YardRat]

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/colts-declare-blackout-plan-remains-100-percent.html

As the Buffalo Bills continue to evaluate how they'll apply the NFL's new blackout policy, another small-market club already has declared it will stick with the old policy.

Indianapolis Star writer Mark Alesia reports the Indianapolis Colts will lift local television blackouts only if they sell out the game (http://www.indystar.com/article/20120710/SPORTS03/120710056). For the first time in 40 years, the NFL is giving teams the option to air games when they sell as few as 85 percent of their non-premium tickets.


"We're a small-market team, and we need people in the stadium," chief operating officer Pete Ward is quoted in the story. "While we value all of our fans, our first priority is to protect the investment of paying customers."


That's a logical and totally justified statement, and it doesn't even address another deterrent to adopting the 85 percent policy. Doing so could cost teams money. Clubs that lower the threshold reportedly must pay into a league-wide revenue pool for the privilege. The Buffalo News has reported it could cost the Bills hundreds of thousands of dollars (http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/bills-roundup-a-closer-look-at-nfl-blackout-policy-.html).
Ward also told the Indianapolis Star the Colts believe most teams will decline to adopt the 85 percent option.
Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz tweeted tonight: "Colts tell me if you accept 85% rule, every tix sold over 85% capacity, half that money must be paid to visiting team (https://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/222835625785704448). Serious $$ loss. ... NFL has given teams the option to do 85%, but I'd be surprised if many, if any, actually do that. Very expensive. (https://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/222835763090423809)"

[stuckincincy]

Seems like the NFL tossed out this 85% thing to placate some critics - in Congress. IMO, that bunch stuck their noses in for the express purpose of making political hay, and now they can crow that they accomplished something. The NFL is canny.

[better days]

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/colts-declare-blackout-plan-remains-100-percent.html

As the Buffalo Bills continue to evaluate how they'll apply the NFL's new blackout policy, another small-market club already has declared it will stick with the old policy.

Indianapolis Star writer Mark Alesia reports the Indianapolis Colts will lift local television blackouts only if they sell out the game (http://www.indystar.com/article/20120710/SPORTS03/120710056). For the first time in 40 years, the NFL is giving teams the option to air games when they sell as few as 85 percent of their non-premium tickets.


"We're a small-market team, and we need people in the stadium," chief operating officer Pete Ward is quoted in the story. "While we value all of our fans, our first priority is to protect the investment of paying customers."


That's a logical and totally justified statement, and it doesn't even address another deterrent to adopting the 85 percent policy. Doing so could cost teams money. Clubs that lower the threshold reportedly must pay into a league-wide revenue pool for the privilege. The Buffalo News has reported it could cost the Bills hundreds of thousands of dollars (http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/bills-roundup-a-closer-look-at-nfl-blackout-policy-.html).
Ward also told the Indianapolis Star the Colts believe most teams will decline to adopt the 85 percent option.
Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz tweeted tonight: "Colts tell me if you accept 85% rule, every tix sold over 85% capacity, half that money must be paid to visiting team (https://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/222835625785704448). Serious $$ loss. ... NFL has given teams the option to do 85%, but I'd be surprised if many, if any, actually do that. Very expensive. (https://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/222835763090423809)"

Well, it is only Very expensive if people actually go to the game. With a new stadium & most people already tied in to tickets, I'm pretty sure Indy will have no problem selling a couple thousand tickets per game unless Luck really sucks.

[Goobylal]

Even as a fan, I think the games should have to sell-out before they're televised.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

In this day and age with the internet, the only losers in this thing are the networks that throw tons of cash at the NFL so people can watch the games on their channel.

[Night Train]

Upfront TV revenue pays the bills, not the last few thousand of the actual gate.

Plus the locals always have to subsidize these stadiums with their tax $$, every time an improvement or upgrade is needed.

Anyone siding with the NFL is an idiot. If the Bills are 5,000-8,000 short of a sellout, it still should be on TV. The locals are paying taxes to keep the team happy.

[stuckincincy]

Looks like the Colts are pretty much sold out as is...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a7f4be/article/indianapolis-colts-stance-on-blackouts-a-smart-move?module=HP11_content_stream