Teams can now determine whether or not there is a local blackout

[panthers55]

http://www.thepigskinreport.com/2012/07/buccaneers-nfl-fans-could-see-fewer-blackouts-in-2012/

NFL teams can determine what constitutes a sell out down to 85% of capacity but there is a catch. If a team sets the bar at 90% of capacity and then sells over that amount for a game, the revenue goes to the NFL revenue sharing kitty not to the team which encourages them not to set the bar too low.

Why are they doing it at all? The NFL doesn't want people to know that attendance is declining at some stadiums and blackouts do just that. Plus lack of local viewing hurts local advertising in the team's market.

More about it here:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/7/1/3129669/nfl-blackout-rule-85-percent-tickets-sold

http://www.derp/

It raises the question about whether the home game experience is better than being there.

[KendrickPanther]

I hate that stadium attendance is going down but quite frankly why would anyone want to spend ~$65 a seat in the back of the upper deck for parking,food, drink, and admission when they can see a much better product on their couch.

[panthers55]

I hate that stadium attendance is going down but quite frankly why would anyone want to spend ~$65 a seat in the back of the upper deck for parking,food, drink, and admission when they can see a much better product on their couch.

Actually 65 bucks would be a very low amount. But why do people like to go to games? Tailgating, watching with other fans, being the 12th man and actually making a difference in the game, among others.

[iamhubby1]

Now this is just a thought. But maybe the reason attendance is down in some areas, is because the level of football being played?

Although, Tampa is notoriously bad win or lose. But they do lose a lot. And then there are teams like the Lions that almost always sell out, even in bad times. ain't fans went to the games, maybe not sell outs, but good crowds.

I went to games back in the day. But it is much easier to flip through channels from my couch than a stadium seat. Of course back in the day all I got was the Lions early, and usually the Cowbags late. But tv was still young and bad, so the games were better. As for college football. If I wanted to watch State I had to go to the games. Cuz it was either Notre Dame, or some game of the week. Now my tv gives me everything the wife doesn't, with half the hassle.

[4Corners]

I hate that stadium attendance is going down but quite frankly why would anyone want to spend ~$65 a seat in the back of the upper deck for parking,food, drink, and admission when they can see a much better product on their couch.

Whenever I go to a game, it's usually a $100 day for me when it's all said and done. This is excluding the ticket price.

The tailgate, beers, etc....sh1t adds up real quick. I've at least learned to avoid the Uptown Cabaret now.

[Davidson Deac II]

Not sure if blacking out the games is a solution. If they black out the games, fans might find something else to do on Sunday afternoon. They might watch another sport, they might go to the movies etc... Attendance is dropping because attending a game is a luxury, and in a struggling economy, not as many people can afford the luxury. NFL has had a captive audience, but they might need to come up with a creative pricing plan if they want to contine to be the top sport in the future.

[KendrickPanther]

I like to be part of the experience. I like to think I'm exerting some small affect on the outcome. None of my family or friends like the Panthers which is probably why I come to the huddle. So I don't really tailgate. I think in some markets they are fed up with ownership. When money get's tight NFL tickets are literally the easiest thing to cut out of your budget. (a little harder for PSL owners). Also more and more people are overweight. Being a fat guy in a crowded NFL stadium is not fun at all. I love being in the lower bowl but sometimes the upper deck is less fun. You are there but you don't feel as close to the action. I could see why a normal person that likes to get some work done around the house and go to church on Sundays would rather watch at home.

[KendrickPanther]

Well getting back to the blackout part, DD2 makes a good point about the solution. The Bobcats basically blacked themselves out in most of North Carolina and it has been horrible for business. Bob Johnson loves to blame the Charlotte business community for his failures but he couldn't make his product available to the public. I had to go to a bar just to watch our 4 playoff losses. Keeping the games on TV free to watch is key for fan base growth. If it wasn't for rabbit ear football games as a child I never would have become a football fan.

[KendrickPanther]

Whenever I go to a game, it's usually a $100 day for me when it's all said and done. This is excluding the ticket price.

The tailgate, beers, etc....sh1t adds up real quick. I've at least learned to avoid the Uptown Cabaret now.

Yeah when I was in college I could get a ticket on the street and eat/drink light (underage for beer) and do ok. I would even walk across town for free parking. Now I am more liberal with my spending but you can get by cheap if you must.

[4Corners]

Honestly, it's much more feasible for myself to go up to my favorite pub and just grab some wings and brews there.

I live at Lake Norman, and going downtown and drinking is a hassle. You gotta plan out who is going to drive back, pay at least $20 to park, etc.

Don't get me wrong I love going to games (I have an awesome tailgate at the french quarter, BTW) , and I go to 3-4 each year, but sh1t adds up and being able to literally walk to a pub from my house at LKN is awesome and easy.

[iamhubby1]

I may be in the minority with this one. But I really prefer to watch the games alone. Or just me and the dog. He lets me know when I get too excited. During hte jimmyz era, he spent more time with the wife than me. I hate that damm wife, er dog.

I just happen to like being able to watch, pretty much, what I am looking for. I know it is a poor substitute for film. But hell, when I was growing up... I will even admit to keeping notes, so when the game is over I can go back and rewatch. I really love my Sunday afternoons.

I still talk, chat, and interact with friends and so on. Just during the commercials. The wife will peek her head in and ask "Is it a commercial yet?". Even though she can see the tv from the doorway. Why?

Anyhow. Used to love the games, but I was young and had the energy. Now it takes me two days just to get back to normal. That, and flat screen tv, airconditioning, fridge, and a wife that fetches a beer or two make the home experience easier on the system.

Although I will agree that in the near future, if we can start something substantial, the homefield advantage may rear its big beautiful head. The original PSLs are being passed down. We need the kids of these new ticket holders to want to use them, not sell them. Kids that only know the Panthers are our future. We need to nurture and protect them. Bubble wrap the jungle jim and poo like that.

Sorry, And GOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beastson]

You guys are lucky. Never been to a football game except preseason. Would kill to go to a Panthers home game once

[Razeyfingers]

I gotta say I likes me my "

Give me anything that will enhance that experience more, I'll pay for it. The comfort is worth it. I still want to go to a couple of games every year, that wont change.

Nothing reminds how truly incredibley fast and talented pro players are like seeing it first hand with naked eyeball. I remember the first time I saw the Rocket run a reverse. I remember thinking wow, the field moves under him like he's on skis. It was a moment I will never forget because until then, I didnt know what that kind of speed even looked like in motion on a football field.

I'd seen it on TV plenty but never in person

[Ja Rhule]

I do not buy beer at the stadium, I usually bring hard liquor or vodka to tailgate, get hammered and then barely walk to the stadium. I know a guy who owns 7 season tickets and sells em on ebay for higher price but I get em at face value. So $100 x2 tickets, $10 for parking, $30 for booze. All and all comes out to about $140 for 2 people. It's not bad at all...