papazoid Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 NFL “will strongly oppose” elimination of blackout rule NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Politico.com. “We are on pace for a historic low number of blackouts since the policy was implemented 40 years ago. While affecting very few games the past decade, the blackout rule is very important in supporting NFL stadiums and the ability of NFL clubs to sell tickets and keeping our games attractive as television programming with large crowds.” http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/19/nfl-will-strongly-oppose-elimination-of-blackout-rule/ i think the elimination of the blackout rule would be particularly bad for Buffalo. especially with a change of ownership coming. the #1 way to keep a franchise is with good attendance. eliminating the blackout rule would HURT attendance. there would be even more folks who wouldn't buy tix or attend games if they knew for certain they would be televised without a sellout.
NoSaint Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Nope. Albany, Binghamton maybe. It would be cheaper to go to the stadium and find a scalper when you compare paying for gas to get far enough away to see the game in a bar. i think binghampton based stations will (or atleast can) carry it, and that will stretch west into the finger lakes area.
May Day 10 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) eliminating the blackout rule would HURT attendance. there would be even more folks who wouldn't buy tix or attend games if they knew for certain they would be televised without a sellout. I would like to see an actual, unbiased, scientific study on this. Personally, the television status has no bearing on me going or not going. Especially these late season throw-away games I wonder how many people a blackout (or threatening blackout) moves from the couch to the ticket booth. Especially with all the online feeds, redzone channel, interest in other games due to fantasy/pools/gambling, etc... There has to be a tangible reason the NFL wants to protect this. Maybe they just want to keep the option on the table in their court. Edited December 19, 2013 by May Day 10
CodeMonkey Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) I wonder how many people a blackout (or threatening blackout) moves from the couch to the ticket booth. Especially with all the online feeds, redzone channel, interest in other games due to fantasy/pools/gambling, etc... I have to believe that even if blackouts motivated people to want to get tickets, they are smart enough these days to go to stubhub or some other reseller outlet where the prices for "throw away" games are in most cases significantly lower. Thus not affecting the teams bottom line except for incidentals like parking, food and beverage etc. Edited December 19, 2013 by CodeMonkey
qblax16 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I'm home from raleigh for Xmas and can't watch!!!!!
rockpile Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) Brandon said on 550 earlier in the week, that during the 90s, December games sold out 63% of the time. During the 2000s, they sold out 67% of the time. so when the team was good, December games still were not selling out. In fact, the big comeback game against Houston (playoffs no less) was not even close to a sellout. so while people can blame the team being lousy, history indicates this is not true. its really the weather. Remember, the previous week, Houston KILLED Buffalo in Houston. Add to that that bars could show the game through satellite or network "air" broadcast from Syracuse then. Edited December 19, 2013 by rockpile
PearlHowardman Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 According to below linked NFL broadcast map the game is being broadcast in the Binghamton/Elmira area. http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2013&wk=16
Mango Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 The issue with the blackouts helping ticket sales is I definitely go to these games, but always scalp or craigslist them. In fact, I rarely if ever use the box office.
bbb Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I'm home from raleigh for Xmas and can't watch!!!!! I got an idea. You're home. Go to the game!
Gray Beard Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I'm a football fan. The Bills are my favorite team, but I will watch whatever game is on. This week it looks like I will root for the Browns to beat the Jets. That should be entertaining. Blackouts are stupid and will never cause me to change my plans for the day in order to go to a game.
bbb Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I'm a football fan. The Bills are my favorite team, but I will watch whatever game is on. This week it looks like I will root for the Browns to beat the Jets. That should be entertaining. Blackouts are stupid and will never cause me to change my plans for the day in order to go to a game. Do you ever go to the game?
Gray Beard Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 Do you ever go to the game? rarely. twice on group outings. the last time, the guy who drank a bottle of jack daniels before the game and then was totally obnoxious until puked all over left me thinking that this isn't my idea of a good time.
PolishDave Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I have been a season ticket holder for many years. So blackouts don't affect me anymore. However, back when I was in my early and mid twenties they definitely impacted whether or not I went to the game. When the game was going to be blacked out, we would round up a group of guys and go to the game. Without a doubt, for some demographics, it affects attendance. And one reason why the NFL won't give up the blackouts and shouldn't give up the blackouts is because that ticket money helps finance those big stadiums. I don't think the blackout should reach as far as it does though. I don't think it is fair to block out anyone who lives the other side of Rochester. Expecting them to drive more than one hour for to go to a game is too much to ask in my opinion. Out of town fans should always get to see the game.
firedawg Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I have been a season ticket holder for many years. So blackouts don't affect me anymore. However, back when I was in my early and mid twenties they definitely impacted whether or not I went to the game. When the game was going to be blacked out, we would round up a group of guys and go to the game. Without a doubt, for some demographics, it affects attendance. And one reason why the NFL won't give up the blackouts and shouldn't give up the blackouts is because that ticket money helps finance those big stadiums. I don't think the blackout should reach as far as it does though. I don't think it is fair to block out anyone who lives the other side of Rochester. Expecting them to drive more than one hour for to go to a game is too much to ask in my opinion. Out of town fans should always get to see the game. I totally agree with this. I live about 4 hrs from Buffalo but because I'm in the Syracuse market the game is blacked out due to some half mile sliver that reaches into the radius of the blackout and I don't get the Binghamton or Elmira feeds anymore on Time Warner. As a treat we try to go to a couple games per season. We usually have to take the next day off as by the time we get out of the lots, have dinner and get on the road it might be midnight or later before we get home weather dependent. If I lived an hour or two from the stadium I would be a season ticket holder and I would go to every game.
TheFunPolice Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) I just hope they go to LA and not Toronto I mean, it's pretty much a done deal they are gone. Russ Brandon hold a thinly veiled disgust for the fan support in WNY as it is. And he is a WNYer! What happens when some slimy fatcat from Toronto buys the team? I'd rather see LA interests swoop in just so Toronto can come up empty in its bid to steal our football team. Screw em. If there are 15,000 seats left unsold for a division game in December against a traditonal rival that just gives the heartless, scum sucking vultures in Toronto and in the NFL offices more PR cover to rip the team away Edited December 20, 2013 by TheFunPolice
oman128 Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 well if you're looking to the future certainly the bills losing the Miami give them a better draft picks. However beating the Dolphins and having three AFC East Conference wins is a far cry from what we've had in the last several years. And should miracle of miracles happen and we beat the Patriots in Foxborough the following week we would have more 4 afc East victories.
bbb Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 rarely. twice on group outings. the last time, the guy who drank a bottle of jack daniels before the game and then was totally obnoxious until puked all over left me thinking that this isn't my idea of a good time. So, it doesn't affect your plans, because you never plan to go anyway. I totally agree with this. I live about 4 hrs from Buffalo but because I'm in the Syracuse market the game is blacked out due to some half mile sliver that reaches into the radius of the blackout and I don't get the Binghamton or Elmira feeds anymore on Time Warner. As a treat we try to go to a couple games per season. We usually have to take the next day off as by the time we get out of the lots, have dinner and get on the road it might be midnight or later before we get home weather dependent. If I lived an hour or two from the stadium I would be a season ticket holder and I would go to every game. Too bad you don't live closer - you're the kind of fan we need..............The close fans except for elderly, etc. have no complaints in my book. You do - there is no way the blackout should extend past Rochester at the most. Back in the 60s, Rochester got the games. And, all the games were blacked out in Buffalo.........I know this because my father, grandmother and great uncle didn't have tickets, so they rented a hotel room in Rochester, drove there, and watched the AFL Championship.
PromoTheRobot Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 If I lived closer I'd be at every game, including preseason.
FireChan Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 There's no reason not to go to Bills games other than finances/work/health if you're really a fan. It's that simple.
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