It’s Almost Soldout; So Don’t Get Shutout
September 8th, 2010
If you can’t go to Sunday’s blacked out Bucs-Browns game, you can watch it in style with Joe.
Click on The Blackout Tour logo to get your ticket and transportation to watch the Bucs’ home-opener at Lee Roy Selmon’s in Fort Myers, complete with a plate of free wings and a free beer.
The Bucs should make the blackout official on Thursday, but thus luxury bus trip will be sold out by by then.
In the event of a miracle, and the game is NOT blacked out, your tickets are 100 percent refundable.
September 5th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I mean….not for nothing, but……………if you’re willing to drive down to Ft Meyers to watch the Bucs……why not just go to the game?
September 6th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Joe here,
CreamsiclePatsies – As explained before. There are loads of Bucs fans that just can’t handle the game experience in a nosebleed $40 seat in the sun. The walking, the climbing, the heat, etc. Then if you get a cheap spot to park somewhere nearby for $10, and you spend $10 on a small soda and a pretzel. That’s $60 to go to the game, versus $24.95 for The Blackout Tour. …It’s pretty straightforward.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
I have submitted the below quote in hope you will win a spot in the vacant sports writing slot…
http://www.pathetic.org/
Joe here,
CreamsiclePatsies – As explained before. There are loads of Bucs fans that just can’t handle the game experience in a nosebleed $40 seat in the sun. The walking, the climbing, the heat, etc. Then if you get a cheap spot to park somewhere nearby for $10, and you spend $10 on a small soda and a pretzel. That’s $60 to go to the game, versus $24.95 for The Blackout Tour. …It’s pretty straightforward.
September 6th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Rastamon, I live in Tarpon Springs near the Sponge Docks, and I can tell yout that I’m of the guys Joe is referring to. …I’m not considered “disabled” and I can afford $40 for a ticket (maybe not $100) But my back is such that I can’t drive an hour to the game, park, walk, sit in the small seat, and then walk back to the car and drive back. I’ll be hurting for days. On top of that I usually watch the games at home with my dad who is 82 and could never handle a game in the heat.
The point is not everyone can just go to games. I couldn’t even do this blackout tour trip, although my dad is interested.
There’s a lot of people who arent’ “pathetic” that just can’t do the stadium.It is supposed to be entertainment, right?
September 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Obviously I am not addressing those that can’t financially or physically go to the game…..so that leaves a boat load of bitchers and whiners that in fact are to F’n lazy to go and expirence game day live and support your team in person…..which is how it has always been….be a part of the day
September 7th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I for one am glad i dont live within the 75 mile blackout radius. I was beginning to worry till i did my research.
September 7th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Joe,
As I understand it if (when) the Bucs-Browns tilt is blacked out (it is a CBS scheduled game game) CBS will NOT show a different Football game. Is that correct?
Currently FOX does not have a game scheduled at 1PM so will a blackout mean NO NFL football at the 1PM timeslot?
This is assuming one does not have NFL Ticket.
September 7th, 2010 at 11:14 am
gotta love goin to school in the midwest, getting bears and lions games all the time sucks though…go Irish and go Bucs
September 7th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Even the jags sold out opening day, and looks promising for their first four home games.
Same bad economy there right?
September 7th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Joe here,
Eric – Jags are sold out because Tebow is on the visitiing Broncos.
September 7th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Joe,
I thought so too, but i also see reports that the sales for their first four home games are on track to sell enough to avoid blackouts. Of course Weaver may be buying some of those.
I just think the Glazer boys should realize it is not just the economy. Outside of Joebucsfan.com not a lot of buzz out there about this team.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
im in volusia county and the games are still not on tv so i does cover more countys then they say…nfl is losing fans faster then they thinkif they continue the blackout crap during such a hard time….that being said nfl sunday ticket is doing a free games for all teams this week only so there is a way to watch atleast the first game…..GO BUCS!
September 7th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Which “parts of Orlando?”
September 7th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
RastaMon Says:
September 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
“Obviously I am not addressing those that can’t financially or physically go to the game…..so that leaves a boat load of bitchers and whiners that in fact are to F’n lazy to go and expirence game day live and support your team in person…..which is how it has always been….be a part of the day”
So, let me guess..You are in the Bucs sales department?
September 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Per PR – Donald Penn is urging fans to attend the home opener.
My guess is that any fan that gets their tickets now will get great value for their money on Sunday at RJS.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Is there anywhere you can find out exactly where the blackout region ends?
September 7th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
http://support.directv.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1329/kw/nfl%20sunday%20ticket/r_id/104513
Works by zipcode for Directv.
September 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I see that the Phins-Bills game would replace the Blackout Bucs-Browns game on Sunday. So we will not be without some FB. + Directv is giving the NFL ticket for free this weekend.
I’ll probably just go to the game, sounds like it won’t be too crowded.
So the ? is ticket outside the gate or craigslist or some other?
Just like old times…the Bucs on the Radio and the Phins on TV. I just wish Reagan was still in the WH or even Jimmy!
September 7th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I’m at the point of longing for Ray Perkins!
September 7th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Joe can we please get a list of the counties of the Buccaneers designated market area?
Google didn’t readily make it available.
And thanks for the useful link NARS.
September 7th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
It’s outrageous that you are not only promoting, but profiting off the bucs blackouts. And, please stop acting like you’re running a charity bus tour. You are doing nothing to help any situation regarding the black outs. Terrible…
September 7th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Jesse, no one is buying tickets because they are pissed off at the Glazers for making the weird Raheem Morris move.
30,000+ strong ticket holders, and 100s of thousands more.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
yes but like everything that doesnt make up the whole picture. My point is this, maybe a bus-ride to the game that included a sandwich and softdrinks, might be a little more of an appropriate venue than taking fans from the seats of RayJay. Home field believe it or not is supposed to be an advantage. Seems like most would rather see the bucs lose, simply to trott out the ole “i told ya so”, than cheer their team on to victory.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Well, if Not A Rocket Surgeon’s Direct TV zip code mapping is accurate, then you coul feasibly drive to Orlando and watch a game at a bar that host the games.
Type in some Orlando Zip Codes.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
dude, i live in West Palm Beach, have the sunday ticket (no worries of blackouts here), and will no doubt still be at the game! Just go support you bleepin team already.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I, as many, will NOT be spending a dime on the Glazer’s latest debacles.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
The Glazer’s don’t need a donation do they?
September 7th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Javier:
If you live within the Tampa or Orlando TV markets, you will be blacked out.
Joe has no way of determining if you are affected. Joe suggests you call your local CBS affiliate to confirm.
Simply put, if you receive WTSP-TV or whatever CBS affiliate is in Orlando on your dish/cable package, you will be blacked out this week.
September 7th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
According to that direct TV schedule, it is saying that even Lakeland is getting the Bucs games with the Sunday ticket.
So a quick trip to the Lakeland Hooters could do the trick?
September 7th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Yeah Javier, i also heard since Wimauma is so far out in the boonies, that you won’t be blacked out either.
September 7th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
If you come to the Lakeland Hooters looking for the game you will waste your time.
Lakeland is 30 miles from Tampa and well within the 75mile broadcast zone, which is not neccesarily a 75 mile circle from RayJay.
Lakeland was blacked out for both pre season games.
My son lives at UCF on the otherside of Orlando and the Bucs preseason games were blacked out where he was.
September 7th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
FYI Joe…I live in Fort Myers, local stations will not be televising the game here. Apparently CBS is doing both the Bucs game and the Dolphins game this weekend and the local affiliate stated that they would only be airing the Phins game on Sunday. Just figured I’d let you know.
September 7th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Vince – appreciate the update, but the game is not “blacked out” in Fort Myers. So Lee Roy Selmon’s NFL package will show the game. Come’on out to join us.
September 7th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
“Lakeland was blacked out for both pre season games.
My son lives at UCF on the otherside of Orlando and the Bucs preseason games were blacked out where he was.”
What about on the NFL Sunday Ticket?
http://support.directv.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1329/kw/nfl%20sunday%20ticket/r_id/104513
The zip codes didn’t say they were blacked out.
September 7th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
This is all very simple, no matter how you get local TV stations (rabbit ears, dish of any sort, cable, carrier pigeon), if you live in the Tampa or Orlando TV markets, the game is blacked out.
FYI: Sunday Ticket does not broadcast local games, no matter what market. Local broadcasts are reserved to the over-the-air station carrying the game.
September 7th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Im glad i live in ohio with my sunday ticket on my 45 inch vizio. Cant beat that. I still hope to make it to a game this year though.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Why spend money on a bus tour and a plate of free wings? Why not support your team and spend the extra 10Dollars..
September 8th, 2010 at 12:46 am
In my last 2 games at RJS, I havent spent more than 60dollars going to a game… I don’t eat that consession crap anyway…. thats the worst stuff yo can put in your body…
But anyway, people should stick it out and go to the game, especially since its the season-opener, and the home-opener. No fan base should let their team get blacked out on opening day.
September 8th, 2010 at 2:37 am
Joe here,
MVPFreeman – You’re right, except there are a lot of people who can’t physically handle the game experience on a hot summer day, or they just need to save that extra money. For most people, the cheap seat, parking and very light concessions (say water and a pretzel) would cost them $60.
Joe would love to see a packed house. The Blackout Tour is merely an alternative.
September 8th, 2010 at 3:15 am
no the internet is a alternative..joe
September 8th, 2010 at 6:32 am
Unfortunately, I’m almost totally disabled at this point. I don’t think I could even manage the Blackout Tour trip, thanks to my health issues. I actually need a wheelchair, but lack the coverage right now to get one.
So my options are radio, Internet or next day viewing (assuming it will still be aired the next day).
September 8th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Why would it be aired the next day? On Monday? I think that was only a WFLA pre season decision. FOX and CBS will have other programming.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:55 am
What joe said about Directv.
The Sunday Ticket channel with the Bucs will be black and would be black even if the game was on TV. The local CBS affilate has it…that’s it.
Nextweek check out the Directv game airing the Bucs-panthers road game. It won’t be showing it on the 700 range channels only on the FOX local channel.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Not a legal alternative.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Twelve hours after kickoff, the game will be available on NFL.com… for a fee of course.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Note that for those of you in Orlando, you’re probably seeing Miami instead of the Bucs anyway this week, since the Bucs are on CBS this week.
http://the506.com/sports/?tag=2010-week-1
Purple = blacked out
Orange = Miami no matter what
September 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Joe says:
– – “Not a legal alternative” – –
Then
– – “Twelve hours after kickoff, the game will be available on NFL.com… ” – –
So…is the NFL breaking the law? hehe
Actually, the Internet is the ONLY option for me to view blacked out games…I can’t travel south or go to the games due to my health. I cannot aford the Blackout Tour OR the NFL.com option.
So it’s really either the radio (which I have done in the past, or watch the game streamed over the net.
Blackouts make no sense at all anymore. When the policy was created, for example, the only sports competition in tampa other than the Bucs were the Rowdies. Now, at a time when the economy is busted, we have tons of sports in the Tampa area…Storm, Lightning, Rays, USF Bulls, and more.
Top that with the lower ticket prices for those events, and economically it makes no sense to blackout games. If anything, the NFL should consider giving FREE tickets to games to the fans…just to promote the business…especially with a lockout coming. It’s not like the real money isn’t in the television rights…and a move like that would actually drive up the ratings.
September 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Joe you said that watching the game on the internet is illegal from one of those websites?
Are you sure?
Now the guys re-broadcasting the event from said location I am sure is illegal. But people passively viewing a website is illegal? Said who? Because is it is it sure would be beneficial to inform your fans, as a courtesy of course, exectly where this rule/law is that says this?
September 8th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
The LA Times says it is NOT just Tampa Bay:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-farmer-nfl-20100907,0,5486429.column
From the article:
“With season-ticket sales down 5% from last year, and a projected 1% to 2% decline in overall attendance on the horizon, league officials are predicting the lowest average attendance since 1998. The average attendance last season was 65,043.”
September 8th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Javi…If you receive the signal from someone rebroadcasting it without consent/rights, you are DEFINITELY breaking the law. You are downloading content you do not have rights to.
September 8th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
People who scream and moan about fans not going to stadiums need to realize something: HD programming has completely revolutionized the way fans can experience games. In many cases, depending on where your potential seats are located, the best seat in the house really is in front of a crystal-clear HDTV somewhere in the air conditioning. Add in high unemployment around the Bay area/the fact that the Bucs were horrible last year/a lack of marquee stars/increasingly high temperatures/the NFL package/the amazing Red Zone channel and you have the perfect storm for blackouts and poor attendance in general. Plus, if you go the game, you’re never short of your jackass fans sitting around you who wear body paint, have pirate ships on their heads, hold up goofy signs, and scream and curse at the top of their lungs (all of which are grown adults, I might add). I love the Bucs just as much as the next guy but at this point, if somebody can’t afford top-of-the-line tickets, I don’t blame them at all for sitting at home or going some other place in doors to watch the Bucs in HD. Just because you’d rather watch your team in HD and not in 100 degree heat with screaming drunk idiots, it doesn’t make you any less of a fan in my opinion.
September 8th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Yeah it’s too bad our local population isn’t larger or Joe’s tour bus isn’t on blocks, cause our stadium would sellout! You guys crack me up!
September 8th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
“Twelve hours after kickoff, the game will be available on NFL.com… for a fee of course.”
I don’t think he was thinking I-Net but on TV, I know I could care less to watch the game 24 hours later on my computer. I know computers are the future but its not the same as 52″ HDTV screen live.
September 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Until there is a law not an ethical suggestion about the NFL losing money, but a law, that someone can’t go to a website and watch a streaming game (not downloaded but streaming), then I doubt anything can be done.
Now, again, the people re-broadcasting the video are doing the illegal bit, but has the internet laws been updated to be able to claim that users passively watching streaming video as illegal?
I still haven’t seen it.
Dolman Law Group? Any input? lol
September 8th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@KJ
I am waiting for 3D NFL football.
THEN, hologram football, in HD. That would be cool to watch Gerald McCoy virtually lineup in your living room. Oh yeah.
September 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
I’d love to join ya Joe, but believe it or not, I’m making the journey from Ft. Myers TO Tampa for the game!! I’ll wave as I drive by on 75!!
September 8th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Radio Mushmouth said:
“You are not breaking the law by streaming the game from a website that is streaming the game . The website may be breaking the law, if they do not have the consent , but you are not just because you viewed the website. Big difference.
It’s been going on all preseason , and the same websites are still doing it , so apparentely the NFL isn’t going to pursue legal action…”
This is totally false. You are not ‘viewing’ anything. You are downloading content from a website, which carries the same legal weight as stealing it. Whether the NFL pursues it? Different matter entirely.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Ok, ok… so HOW is Joe a bad guy on this one?
The same people who claim Joe is ‘taking away ticket sales’ with a party bus not only can’t do math (because a full party bus is insignificant to 30,000 plus empty seast), but they are also trying to control the message.
And that sole mother hen is JimBuc.
And whether JimBuc is part of the larger Ari Fleecer paid trolls or not, the underlying issue remains the same… those people want to control the message.
So what do they do? They strive to villanize Joe for not pandoring to their interests. And saying things bad about Raheem, the regime, the Glazer’s decisions or getting in the way of buying tickets are directly against the interests that define ‘Team Ari: Protect the Glazers and Raheem’.
And that is why ‘they’ deem Joe a bad guy.
Chew on that one.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
@SkookumSmitty
Uhm, didn’t we both just say NO ONE IS DOWNLOADING ANYTHING?
It’s streaming.
If you don’t understand streaming video then you shouldn’t comment.
The question at large is, “Where’s the proof?”
Not, “What’s smitty’s opinion?”
September 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Most the people i know are out at bars watching the game there anyway.i think the blackout tour is a pretty good thing,im going with two friends of mine,not because we cant afford to go to the stadium,but because i know its going to be a good experience.i love my bucs,and going to lee roy selmons with some good friends and alot more bucs fans sounds awesome!going to be a good atmosphere,good experience.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Or this one (link at the bottom)
“According to NFL.com “NFL Game Pass HD is not available in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Antigua, the Bahamas and any U.S. territories, possessions and commonwealths (including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).” Furthermore, buying the rights from other individuals to watch NFL games from Slingbox devices may be in violation of NFL redistribution rights, as only the NFL can profit from the broadcasts of its games. Use the Slingbox option only if you are NOT paying for the rights to watch the games.”
SkookumSmitty:
Do that again and you’re gone. Joe has written enough times about posting URLs hosting pirated NFL feeds. Joe’s the guy that has to deal with NFL lawyers, not you.
Only reason Mushmouth isn’t banned — he’s getting a time out — is because he’s been with Joe for nearly as long as this site has been around.
Joe hates to be a hardass but if people aren’t going to follow a simple rule, too bad. Joe’s done playing nice guy.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Next smartass that asks for the pirated feed gets banned too.
Go ahead and test Joe.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I do not understand why the NFL will not at least consider pay per view in a blacked out market and if they do I am not aware of it. This way people who do not want to experience the torment of a scorching sun, overpriced beer, cramped seating, and the over all boring experience of attending a Bucs game at Ray Jay can still watch the game from the comfort of home and the greedy NFL can still get their ever so coveted Dollars. I for one am a life long Bucs fan who is just about ready to boycot the NFL. They have crapped on the fans for far to long…just my opinion. I have attended Bucs and Bulls games at Ray Jay and the Bulls games were far more entertaining for a fraction of the price and was lucky enough to go to some evening games where the heat was not such an issue.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Not sure what I did wrong…Linked to a discussion about the legality of streaming feeds? If Joe reads my other posts upthread, it is pretty clear that I know they are illegal, and therefore not a valid alternative to the LEGAL means of seeing the game.
I don’t even know the website address to look it up again…Javi said “WHAR IS PROOF?!?!1”, and I linked to explanations of my argument.
*shrugs*
September 8th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
But smitty, no one us paying for it… therefore how can it be illegal according to those rules?
September 8th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
now this is the question i have
when the preseason games were blacked out, it aired on delayed basis the
next day in tv. now does that mean same thing will happen if our opener is
blacked out?
September 8th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
bucmaniaco:
Yes and no. Joe will have a story up about this first thing in the morning.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
SkookumSmitty:
Joe’s not trying to be a hardass and apologizes. nor is Joe trying to hack people off. But that site you linked gave instructions how to thieve a live broadcast.
Joe’s not trying to big league anyone, but there are certain sets of powerful eyes that read every flipping word on this site. Because someone decides to be cute/stupid, some of the most powerful lawyers in the country could come down on Joe.
Joe has tried to be polite and asked people not to link to or give tips on how to access pirated sites. Some (Radio Mushmouth) decided to be smartasses and spit in Joe’s face and simply ignore Joe, even asking for people to post a URL knowing Joe will ban them. That’s BS. Radio Mushmouth even tried to be smart posting a URL with a space, so Joe’s spamblocker won’t catch it. Radio Mushmouth is now serving a timeout.
Other’s won’t get off as easy.
Again, Joe’s the one who has to deal with the consequences.
If someone simply cannot live without knowing how to access a pirated signal, go to Google. Don’t do it here.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Ah, I see…Thought I was linking to an actual NFL.com web discussion.
My apologies, will do better link checking next time.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
SkookumSmitty:
Notice Joe has never been this sensitive about any other subject? There’s a reason.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Joe, since this topic does involve Buc fans who potentially could do such a thing, do you know of any NFL legalities documented that would be a good FYI for those naive?
September 8th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Javier:
Simply put, it’s highly doubtful the NFL has the resources to go after every person watching a pirated video. However, if you choose to host and stream pirated video on your own site with an IP address traced to you, Joe hopes you have very deep pockets and solid legal counsel.
Joe knows it is highly illegal to use NFL video without permission of the league. Just a hunch, but Joe believes you’re not John Skipper, Dick Ebersol, David Hill or Sean McManus, therefore, you may want to stay away from it. Look, the NFL hires private investigators to monitor bars to make sure they are not thieving signals. No, the NFL doesn’t go after the patrons but the bar owner, if caught, is in a world of s(p)it.
Set up your own site and post a Bucs YouTube video and see how quick it takes for the Bucs to give you a phone call. Hint: Not very long.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
100% agree, “hosting” is bad. Illegal, even if you giving it away, I would say practically illegal, but def not advised whatsoever.
Viewing someone elses stream on a website though? That’s what I’m curious about. Not fact that they can’t go after everyone, but just pure principle if its illegal to passively view stream or not.
So, there it is. The NFL may want to clarify if that is in fact illegal.
No need to talk about it anymore. I’m done.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Believe me it is shocking the extent big corporations will go to enforce their IP rights. No target is too small.
Teams of the nastiest lawyers on earth do nothing but enforcement which carries huge fines and penalties.
Be very, very careful.
Joe(s) you are doing exactly the right thing.
September 9th, 2010 at 3:25 am
This “Tour” should be called the pussy buc fan running AWAY from the STADIUM Tour! This site sucks ass more&more everyday, Why would a TRUE Bucs fan not spend $10 more and go to the game? Maybe they would rather go on the NON-SOLD OUT BUS TOUR to Ft. Meyers????
….Support our Bucs=Buy a ticket(to the game). 29seats??really?
Have a great time in Ft. Meyers, cause we don’t need your kind @ our stadium!
September 9th, 2010 at 7:52 am
LOL RealBucsFan, from what Joe is hearing, the Bucs are going to need tens of thousands of any kind of fans.
If you know of someone who only spends $35 at a Bucs game, feel free to explain how short of mugging someone.
September 9th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I can’t afford a $40 ticket + parking + Skyway tolls from Bradenton + gas. Sorry. Been out of work too long. Also recovering from a heart attack, so not good to go anyway.
Could I scrounge up $10 to buy a few beers at a local sports bar? Sure.
Okay, Bucs. I get the message. You don’t want me as a fan. 10-4.