The Packers, Bengals and Colts all were granted ticket-sales deadline extensions by the NFL yesterday in order to avoid TV blackouts of their home playoff games. The Packers "came up about 3,000 tickets short" of selling out 80,750-seat Lambeau Field. They now have until 5:00pm ET today to sell out. The Bengals have until 4:00pm today. The team's Twitter account yesterday afternoon "accidentally floated the number 3,500 before being quickly deleted." The Colts, whose game is tomorrow, now have until 4:30pm to "sell their remaining 3,000 tickets" (ESPN.com, 1/2).
Bengals QB Andy Dalton said, "We need to sell out this game." Coach Marvin Lewis: "I can't say what I really think, so I'll just move on" (DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 1/3).
The potential blackouts were discussed on NBC’s “Today” show this morning, and NBC’s Peter Alexander said, “It seems the at-home, flat-screen TV experience is taking a toll on ticket sales.” NBC’s Al Roker: “I think the flat-screen experience and the fact that the weather is going to be brutal in those three cities, that has something to do with it.” NBC’s Erica Hill added, “It may be more enjoyable inside” (“Today,” NBC, 1/3).
