The Miami Dolphins are weighing a decision on whether or not change the team's threshold for home game blackouts. Dolphins CEO Mike Dee told the Florida Sun-Sentinel that the team would arrive at a decision on Aug. 9.
A recent rule change by the NFL allows teams to lower the ticket sales threshold for blacking out home games. Previously, a team had to sell out completely in order for the game to be broadcast in its home market. The rule allows teams to set the sales point at 85 percent. However, revenue from tickets sold above and beyond that mark must be shared, making it a riskier move for teams that believe in their ability to sell out games.
The last time the Dolphins were blacked out was in October of 1998. In 2010 and 2011, the Dolphins used a rule allowing teams to buy out unsold seats in order to avoid blackouts. Dee told the paper that the Dolphins had to purchase substantially more seats in 2011 than they did the year before.
August 9 is the deadline for teams to report their decision to the NFL.
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