Colts explain decision on TV blackouts

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Colts and sellouts have been synonymous for a dozen years. But a bad year and just under 2,000 unsold season tickets brings back bad memories and the potential for the dreaded Sunday blackout.

The team announced this week a decision to stick with its old policy of blacking out games that aren't 100 percent sold out, even though the NFL says this year, teams can say it's a sell out if only 85 percent of the tickets are sold.

"I don't think it's a good move. I think it might almost hurt fans in the future," said fan Josh Couba. "I dont know. Blacking out just seems to be the wrong way to get the fans support.”

Dan Dakich of 1070 The Fan said he has been hearing plenty from Colts fans, but says they need to chill out because the games will sell out.

"I know people are upset, because you see the word ‘blackout’ or you see the word ticket increase and you flip out," Dakich said. "This might be a problem if they had 10,000 season tickets. And they couldn't get them sold by the start of the year. And now you're 0-4 or whatever your record is, and now you may have a problem.”

Colts officials explained the decision to stick with previous blackout rules.

"All our decisions start with, ‘How does it affect the team on the field?’ A sold out stadium is better than when it’s not," said Larry Hall, the man in charge of selling Colts tickets.

Hall says changing to the 85 percent sell out rule has a penalty — half the ticket money collected over 85 percent would go to the visiting team.

"So not only would we not be able to enhance the game day experience (or) go after more free agents — that money would go to the opposition," Hall said.

Hall can hope that more Colts fans see it like Jim Olinger.

"Fans would like to see them on TV, I guess more than not, but I also understand the business," Olinger said.

All teams have until July 15 to let the NFL know which sell out option they are choosing. Larry Hall said the Colts decision is made and won't change. But he said while he can't guarantee it, he does expect the remaining tickets to sell.

Colts player Gary Mathis had his own idea of how to handle the situation: players should buy some of the tickets and give them away, he suggested via Twitter.