Good (?) News For Bucs Fans: Remaining Games Won't Be Blacked Out

"Sorry our franchise quarterback turned out to be a bust. But we'll make sure you don't miss a minute of the Mike Glennon experience."

The Buccaneers just announced that the team's seven remaining home games will be aired on a television, a change from the common blackouts of the last three season—19 of the 24 home dates weren't televised. The wording is vague—"projected," "ensured," "committed"—but this doesn't mean those games are sold out. It just means the team itself will likely have to purchase the remaining tickets necessary to reach the blackout threshold.

“In appreciation for the loyal support of our fans throughout the Tampa Bay area, we have committed to televise the remaining seven home games of the 2013 season,” Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer said.

Years ago that would have meant buying every single ticket left, but a new rule instituted last year, in the face of declining leaguewide attendance, allows teams to set their own thresholds, as low as 85 percent capacity. The Bucs set theirs at precisely 85 percent.

So for each remaining game, Tampa will make up the difference when necessary, buying tickets at one-third of face value. But setting their threshold so low could backfire: if a team exceeds their self-imposed threshold—if the Bucs ever sell more than 85 percent of seats—they'll have to share more of the additional revenue.