The National Football League is, far and beyond, the most lucrative and popular of the four major American sports leagues. Like em or not, they're the top dogs and, with that position, comes a good deal of control, regardless of if they really deserve it or not.
A perfect example of this control is the NFL's archaic blackout policy. If you're not familiar, I'll briefly bring you up to speed. Established in 1973, the rule, in summary, states that if an NFL game isn't sold out 72 hours before the game starts, it can't be broadcast on any television within a 75 mile radius from the stadium; no cable, no satellite, no NFL Sunday ticket, nothing.
Am I the only one who thinks this sounds like the reasoning of a temperamental 13 year old girl? "You won't go to my game? FINE! You can't watch it, at all, even if you live like, really far away."
So, we all get punished because every single one of the 60,000+ seats didn't sell? I get it, the NFL wants to encourage attendance, but there are so many better ways to get butts in the seats than punishing fans with a blackout. It's basic psychology. People are much more apt to do what you want them to do (buy tickets) when you provide incentive, not consequence. All the blackout does is foster negativity toward the league. Have you ever heard anyone say anything along the lines of, "Man, the Bucs are blacked out again. I never learn. Better buy tickets next time."? No. No one subscribes to this line of reasoning because watching the game with friends at home or the bar is almost just as immersive as being there these days; 1080 HD picture, Tivos that allow you to rewind and instant replay, booming surround sound - all these make games pretty damn awesome regardless of whether you're actually there or not.
Not only that, but television contracts are HUGE revenue makers for the league. It’s not like they’re doing fans some selfless favor by broadcasting games on TV. ”Oh, thank you NFL for granting us the comfort of watching from our own couches, you’re so great!” NO. Please, they’re raking in boatloads of cash from station contracts, advertising, and more that TV exposure affords.
Maybe in some short-sighted, "make as much money as quickly as we can" line of reasoning the blackout policy makes sense, but depriving fans from seeing their teams play can do nothing but bad. How is the NFL supposed to foster genuine fan adoration, make fans feel like they have a real relationship with their team when they can't even see the games without coughing up cash for tickets? It just seems the NFL is like some brutish, mafioso guy cracking his thick knuckles, saying "Pay up or shut up" to all its supporters.
Fan/league respect should, ideally, be a two way street. Seems like there's a lot more traffic on our side than the NFL's with their outdated blackout policy.
