Green Bay Packers optimistic blackout can be averted
Green Bay Packers: NFL rules say they if the game isn't sold out by 72 hours prior to kickoff there will be a blackout in local TV markets, including Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Milwaukee and Wausau.
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs against Chicago Bears defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Dec. 29, in Chicago.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
GREEN BAY, Wis.
The Green Bay Packers say the team is optimistic that Sunday's home playoff game will be sold out and a TV blackout can be averted.
NFL rules say they if the game isn't sold out by 72 hours prior to kickoff there will be a blackout in local TV markets, including Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Milwaukee and Wausau. The deadline is 3:40 p.m. Thursday with 7,500 tickets yet to be sold. The Packers could ask for a deadline extension.
With a long waiting list for season tickets, not selling out a playoff game is an unusual scenario for theGreen Bay Packers. The last time a Packers home game didn't sell out was in January 1983 when they hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in a first-round playoff game in a strike-shortened season.