The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hosted three games this season. The opener against the Cowboys sold out easily, thanks to a fan following that extends well beyond Texas. The next game, against the Giants, also sold out, to not much of a surprise.
But now the Bucs, reeling at 0-5 and riding a nine-game losing streak, have somehow sold out Raymond James Stadium, without an extension.
Some have suggested that ownership has decided to buy all leftover tickets, in order to ensure that every game will be televised locally. And the prevailing thought among those who follow the team closely is that, indeed, the Glazer family has been ensuring that there will be no blackouts.
If it’s happening, it’s occurring without fanfare, probably because widespread knowledge of such practices might cause fans and media to pressure other teams to do the same thing.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how many seats are actually occupied at Sunday’s sold out game against the Panthers.