FCC to end NFL blackouts?

Credit: AP File photo

FCC to end NFL blackouts?

by JOEL KNIP / KING 5 SPORTS

KING5.com

Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:49 PM

The Federal Communications Commission is looking into ending the NFL's long standing blackout rule. The rule allows teams to blackout games in a local market, if the game has not been declared a sellout before the 72-hour deadline.?It's been in place for decades.

One group called for an end back in November.? The?Sports Fan Coalistion's?reasoning was based on the fact that?most stadiums were funded by local taxpayers.? So they felt the people should be allowed to watch the game on television, without restrictions.? By the way, starting in 2014, the NFL will earn on average $5 billion on TV contracts with CBS, FOX, NBC, &?ESPN.?

A USA?Today article cites the FCC?is considering getting rid of blackouts due to the tough times felt by consumers, particularily due to high ticket prices and high unemployment numbers.

Of course, the NFL?disagrees.? Here's a snippet from the USA?Today article. NFL?spokesman Brian McCarthy says "The policy is very important in supporting NFL stadiums and the ability of NFL clubs to sell tickets; keeping our games attractive as television programming with large crowds; and ensuring that we can continue to keep our games on free TV".

So let's break?down the $5 billion per year from TV?contracts starting in 2014 even further.?Each team is helping the league rake in about $156 million each year and nearly $10 million per game.? Obviously, each team will not get that amount. The league still has to pay for other things like costs to put on a game, the referees, the commissioner,?and?other employees.? But you get the idea. The NFL?is not hurting for money.

Hopefully the FCC?does the right thing and removes the blackout policy.? We'll see if the marketplace is affected.? It would be sad if the NFL?ends "free?TV games" as McCarthy may imply. ?The NFL's average ticket ranged from a low of $60 in Jacksonville to a high of $245 in Chicago.? An?average?family seems to out-priced from going to a game on a regular basis, let alone paying for parking, food, drinks, and merchandise.?With unemployment so high and discretionary money disappearing, the NFL &?FCC?need to throw the consumer a bone. Give the people their favorite sport on TV?with no restrictions.

Source: http://www.king5.com/sports/seahawks/End-NFL-blackouts-137224503.html

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