Bucs Fans Buying In; Saints Game Not Blacked Out

October 18th, 2012

God bless the 85-percent rule!

Joe is beaming and pleased to report the Bucs have sold at least 85 percent of “non-premium” tickets to Sunday’s Bucs-Saints home game at the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. So Bucs fans across the Tampa Bay and Orlando markets will get to watch the game live on FOX-TV at home or at their local watering holes.

It’s the first game this season in which the Bucs and their fans have reached the NFL’s new 85 percent rule and gotten a home game on the tube.

Joe suspects fans have been moved by the New Schiano Order and its brand of physical defense. (Either that, or thousands of locked out Lightning-first Bucs fans want to spend all the extra money in their pockets). A pleasant weather forecast for a change doesn’t hurt, either. Kickoff temperature is expected to be 81 degrees with low humidity.

Joe’s so happy for the legions of Bucs fans who shun unlawful Internet streams of blacked out games, and those who do not enjoy being glued to a radio, and those who simply can’t afford to get to a game.

Tickets for Sunday remain available at various price points at Ticketmaster.com. Also, StubHub.com has plenty of options.

A televised win against Drew Brees to get the Bucs to 3-3 and into the playoff hunt might just light a bonfire of Bucs excitement not seen in years across the Bay area.

24 Responses to “Bucs Fans Buying In; Saints Game Not Blacked Out”

  1. Adam L Says:

    There’s going to be a lot of “long-time Saints Fans” there on Sunday. And by “Long-Time” I am referring to the beginning of Drew Brees’ contract.

  2. lightningbuc Says:

    Adam,

    Exactly! Going to be lots of that stupid “who dat” going on. Hope Bucs can shut them up.

  3. Cam Says:

    Now we just need Ronde to get two touchdowns and break the record for the home crowd!

  4. McBuc Says:

    I will be there making lots of freakin noise!

  5. Justin Says:

    Amongst the creamsicle expect to see a lot of black and gold.

    On the other hand, the fact that this game is televised is huge for the Bucs and their campaign to sell out games. A win over New Orleans that is viewed live by the locals will most certainly result in an increase in attendance Nov. 11 vs SD.

  6. raphael Says:

    Just Win Baby…the fans will show up Big time !

  7. PewterC Says:

    Offense sells tickets… 😉

  8. dp4life22 Says:

    Shut the saints fans up and send them back to the FEMA trailers

  9. 1976Buc Says:

    The wife and I will be landing Saturday 🙂

  10. McBuc Says:

    Pewter…Defense sold tickets in Tampa for years.

  11. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Says:

    I am glad it is sold out! Go Bucs – Tampa Bay all the Way Baby!

  12. Colorado Buc Says:

    Thats funny, I was going to say “Who Dat” buying all them tickets…apparently I was beat to it….damn Central Mountain time!

  13. Tbuc Says:

    Game is on tv, hopefully the Bucs win. Be a shame for the casual fans to see a game and the team looks awful.

  14. FloridaGirl Says:

    Glad it’s sold out. Let’s hope for a full 60 minutes of competitive football. Can’t afford to come out slow or inconsistent on the Saints….See you guys there on Sunday!

  15. holymoly Says:

    I will be there and I will be loud . Hope to see GM slap brees a couple of times .

  16. OAR Says:

    McBuc
    You beat me to it and so very true. We were fortunate enough to have a top 10 defense for 10+ years. Although, I think it tainted our vision of how a defense should be every year. This one looks to be headed for those type of glory years once again.

  17. Morgan Says:

    thanks Saints fan for buying tickets that Buc fans refuse to buy

  18. Matt B Says:

    Sorry to sound cynical but I’m fairly sure the Glazers bought a chunk of tickets to get the Throwback game on TV. I say, “Good for them.” I applaud that but I think it’s naive to think that the win last Sunday and the influx of Saints fans was enought to do it. The stadium was half full for the Chiefs.

  19. Dave Says:

    AWESOME news! Too bad I am Istanbul for another week and have to miss it!

  20. stimpy Says:

    Ill be there with 6 of my other freinds!

    GO BUCS!!

    @Joe
    Thanks for getting rid of the ads! 🙂

  21. Pete Dutcher Says:

    I think back when the season started this is the week I predicted the blackouts would end. Wish I could find me season predictions.

    Great news. Do it one more time and I will start contributing again.

    This is an important game. The fair weather fans don’t pay enough attention to know the Saints arenot as good this year. If the Bucs come out and completely dominate them we’ll see more blackouts avoided.

  22. DW Says:

    JOE: I’m in Orlando, but my FOX station (FOX 35) is still listing the Giants-Redskins game at 1 pm…I’m assuming this will change, but my understanding is that, per NFL rules, they have to show the Bucs game, correct?

    Considering I live 100 miles from the stadium, but all the blackout games are blacked out for me, including pre-season, it would be highly unethical and unreasonable for them to not show the game (and just in case, for those reading, since I still talk with people who are confused about this, the blackout is not really 75 miles–it applies to any TV station that broadcasts within that 75 miles, as well–so blackouts actually extend beyond a 100 miles).

    Anyway, I’m assuming the TV listings for Sunday will be updated (but they haven’t yet). Guess I’m just a little fired up, since the game will be on TV, and as a long-time Bucs fan (who is also a relatively new parent), living in Orlando, I don’t get a chance at the moment to attend too many games.

  23. DW Says:

    Nevermind–just got confirmation that it will indeed be on in Orlando. That’s what I figured, but since the listings hadn’t changed yet…well, you never know…

    Go Bucs!

  24. yellerfeller Says:

    Bucs lack of sellouts = proletarian state of “the middle class”