TAMPA - As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turn the page on the Cincinnati Bengals and head home to gear up for the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints the Bucs front office did not wait long to put a damper on the celebration following the miracle win in Ohio. The Buccaneers announced Monday that despite a 3-1 record and a showdown with the defending champs, Sunday's game at Raymond James Stadium showed no promise to sell out and would again be blacked out on local television.
While the black out may not come as a surprise to Bucs fans, it was a shock to hear a team spokesman concede defeat so early in the week. Per league rule, teams have until 72 hours before kickoff (Thursday, 1 p.m.) to sell out to avoid a blackout. Strong walk-up sales and a heavy contingent of traveling Steeler fans contributed to a 60,000+ crowd for the last home game at Ray Jay and there was hope that a winning team and a Super Bowl champ may fill up the new sombrero.
Local fans hoping to see the Bucs this week will have to buy a ticket to the game or wait until midnight Sunday when the game is shown on NFL.com.