NFL Blackout Avoided: Packers, Colts, Bengals Sellout Wild Card Games
The dreaded NFL blackout has been avoided as the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cincinnati Bengals announced they have sold out the tickets available for this weekend’s crucial games.
The Green Bay Packers announced –via their website– that they have sold out all the remaining playoff tickets for their Sunday game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Luckily for the millions of fans that cannot make it to Lambeau Field, they will be able to enjoy the game on TV.
But not only fans stepped it up to avoid the NFL blackout, a group of Packers corporate partners, led by Associated Bank, purchased the remaining available tickets Friday to ensure the sellout and broadcast of the game throughout Wisconsin.
Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement:
“We’re very thankful to Packers fans, and our partners led by Associated Bank, for ensuring Sunday’s game will be sold out. A unique season and other factors contributed to having tickets available, but with the support of our fans and partners, we’re looking forward to a great atmosphere Sunday at Lambeau Field for the playoff game against the 49ers. We also know fans around the state will be able to enjoy the telecast.”
Similarly the Colts averted the NFL blackout as announced on Friday by its owner Jim Irsay, via Twitter, after a local supermarket chain purchased the remaining 1,200 tickets:
Meijer's a superstar in our community. Bought 1200 tix and giving to local military families. Game on WTHR. BLUE OUT, not black out.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) January 3, 2014
The Colts requested two extensions from the NFL, which puts a deadline of 72-hours prior to kick-off to declare a blackout if a game is not sold-out.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who also requested an extension to put-off the NFL blackout, used to help of another local retailer.
The Kroger supermarket chain, purchased “a large quantity of tickets” for the playoff game against San Diego, and will also provide those tickets to military families.
Our partner @kroger has purchased large quantity of tix to Sun's game to be provided to local military families: http://t.co/1Pzqdg36qA
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 3, 2014
Several other sponsors stepped it up and the Bengals were happy to make the announcement on Twitter:
Touchdown! P&G and its brands @TideNFL, @COVERGIRL, @Bounty, @Gillette push game to sellout! Game will be on local TV. #WhoDey
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 3, 2014
With all the NFL blackouts taken care of, the wildcard playoff games are all set for Saturday and Sunday and fans will be able to watch them in the comfort of their own home if they can’t attend in person.
