Packers must sell 7,500 tix by Thursday afternoon to avoid TV blackout

Fox Sports ^ | 1-2-14 | Paul Imig

[afraidfortherepublic]

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The deadline is approaching and available tickets are still plentiful for the Green Bay Packers playoff game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

As of Wednesday night, the Packers announced that there are "less than 7,500 tickets" remaining. Earlier that morning, there were 8,500 tickets left to sell, meaning that approximately 1,000 tickets were sold throughout the entire day.

The storied franchise is now facing a situation that it never expected to be in: the possibility of a television blackout in the Green Bay and Milwaukee viewing areas.

NFL policy states that a game needs to be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff, which sets the final clock for 3:40 p.m. CT on Thursday.

A Packers spokesperson said teams can ask for an extension from the NFL, but the current plan from the team is to wait until Thursday to decide whether to make such a request.

The weather is likely playing a significant factor for fans, as projections for Sunday have temperatures at or below zero degrees. The temperature could drop as low as negative-15 degrees by the second half, at which point the sun will have set in Green Bay.

It seems unthinkable that the Packers, a franchise with a season-ticket waiting list that recently boasted more than 100,000 fans, would struggle to pack Lambeau Field for a postseason game. The threat is very real now, though, that seeing the game in person might be the only way for fans in the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas to watch it.

[Ingtar]

One of the sources is the NFL and the teams themselves (GB is one of three not sold out yet).

[Ingtar]

It will only black out within 150 miles of the stadium (that used to be the rule). I think you’re safe!

[Starstruck]

I hope there is no blackout. I was looking forward to sitting by the pool, watching the game and drinking a Margarita. We get thirsty down here in Florida, don’t ‘ya know.

You do know blackouts are only local don't you.

[who knows what evil?]

Now you know the economy is in the dumper...

That is one of the signs I have been watching for...lowered attendance at sporting events and movie theaters.

[italianquaker]

Global warming strikes again lol

[vpintheak]

Perhaps if the NFL lowered the ticket prices? They’re pretty outrageous from what I have seen. What blue collar middleclass family can afford it?

[BlueStateRightist]

Hmmmmm....70 degrees, 50” flat screen with surround sound, bathroom 20 feet away, endless beer and snacks and ability to turn off the show if your team is being killed

versus

7 degrees, bad view, traffic, $200 per ticket, $6 for a beer, filthy restrooms a 5 minute walk away and an annoying loudmouth next to you.

[discostu]

It’s going to be violently cold and the Niners have totally crushed them 2 in the last 12 months and all signs point to 3 for 3. It’s hard to get people to pay money to watch the home team lose.

[discostu]

There’s no Red Zone in the post season, it only exists when multiple games are happening simultaneously.

[trisham]

Thanks. :)

[WaterWeWaitinFor]

Wow........... you’ve never been to Lambeau Field, now have you?

NO bad views, ALL friendly people, and the restrooms are not filthy! You must not realize that the Packers are owned by US, the fans, not some rich guy.

Nothing like a game at Lambeau! We didn’t think we had much chance at playoffs with all the injuries. Now that we broke Chicago’s heart, we ARE in the playoffs. We’ll sell out.

Enjoy your 70 degrees and endless beer. We’ll take the Packers and Lambeau any day!

Happy New Year!

[freemama]

WAY too cold to go!

[GeronL]

blackout a playoff game?

How often does that happen?

[KC Burke]

Years ago, in KC Chiefs land, there were a number of games where the legendary owner, Lamar Hunt, bought up the remaining tickets himself to prevent a blackout caused by a few tickets in the big Arrowhead Stadium.

[oh8eleven]

They have a taxpayer paid stadium, but they also have a sweetheart contract signed by Cincy’s less than cagey politicians that gives absolutely no consideration whatsoever to Cincy fans.
Screw the fans! Giants and Jets screwed their fans when they built a new stadium and required fans to buy seat licenses up to $20,000.
And all the license did was allow the fans the "right" to buy outrageously priced season tickets.
Buffalo's owner Ralph Wilson couldn't find a sucker to pay for stadium naming rights, so he went crying to Albany and the politicians gave him over $200 million.
In appreciation for the NY taxpayer, Wilson named the stadium ........ after himself. Then moved one of the eight home games to ..... Toronto.
Screw the fans!

[GeronL]

Blackout would only affect the markets of the two teams playing

[GeronL]

Green Bay has no “owner” it has shareholders

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I know I am safe. I thought I would throw my 2 cents in just because I am not FREEZING!! Dang they are getting their share of winter up north. Enjoy the games.

[Two Kids' Dad]

Ouch! Our forecast high here in coastal Southern California is 73 and mostly sunny on Sunday.

Too bad we’re cursed with leftist politicians throughout the state.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Too bad we’re cursed with leftist politicians throughout the state.

So not only are you 90 degrees warmer than me on Sunday, I have to put up with a leftist goofball as governor too. :D

Talk about a double downer!