Three teams have said “no thanks” to the new blackout rule, but the team that has had the toughest time selling tickets over the last few seasons has embraced the revised provision with arms and empty seats wide open.
The Buccaneers have announced that they will take full advantage of the new rule, dropping the minimum percentage of non-premium seats to avoid a blackout from 100 percent down to 85 percent.
“We hope that this move, along with lower ticket prices, starting at $30 for adults and $15 for children, will lead to more televised Buccaneer home games this year,” Vice President of Business Administration Brian Ford said in a statement.
The Chargers, Bills, and Colts have opted not to reduce the percentage, which can be set anywhere between 85 percent and 100 percent.
Teams have until Sunday, July 15, to make a decision, but then they can make a final adjustment by August 9.
Here’s more from Friday’s PFT Live on how this all came to be and the teams other than the Bucs that could take advantage of the new rule.
Coincidentally, they’re both in Florida, too.