In San Diego, Michael Gehlken notes half of the Chargers' eight regular-season games in '12 were blacked out, but Chargers Exec VP & CEO A.G. Spanos said he is "very optimistic" the team can sell out every home game this year. That is "in part because of projected single-game sales for a schedule that includes the Texans, Broncos, Cowboys, Giants and Colts." Season-ticket sales have "been a mixed bag" to this point. Spanos said, "We've had a lot of new sales. Renewals are not where we'd like it to be. … We have over 1,000 more new (season) tickets sold than at the same point last year. New sales-wise, year over year, we're much better. Percentage-wise on renewals, we're about the same, but we started with a smaller base. That's what the problem is. We've got to get our renewal percentage higher" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/29).
BUCS BUOYANT AT TICKET BOOTH: Buccaneers co-Chair Bryan Glazer on Saturday said that fans have "been responding positively at the ticket booth" to the team's improved outlook, with sales "rising for a team that had a majority of its home games blacked out on local TV over the past three seasons." Glazer said that fans should "enjoy more televised games this season after just two last season even with a lower threshold for tickets sold to lift blackouts (85 percent)." He added, "We have a ways to go, but it's been improving. The economy is getting better. So everything is coming together at the right time" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/28).
WORRISOME TIME FOR RAIDERS? CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora wrote there is an "air of uncertainty that permeates all things Raiders these days." There is "uncertainty over the future of the franchise in terms of ownership and their stadium," and "uncertainty over just how long this new coaching and front office regime will be given to try to stabilize the reeling organization." Some "groused" about late Owner Al Davis "as he approached the end of his life, and the Raiders surely have foundered since reaching the Super Bowl" in '02. Davis' son and current Owner Mark Davis has "done little to quiet that chorus as he now enters a third year (and second full season) in total control." Also gone is former Chief Exec Amy Trask, Al Davis' "most trusted business ally." Mark Davis' "overblown reaction to less-than-favorable press clippings -- firing the PR staff -- sent a poor message, and some wonder if the steady hand and stability this franchise so craves will come under his leadership" (CBSSPORTS.com, 7/27).
