Pressure to end NFL blackouts mounts

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Bills fans are launching a post-season campaign with the FCC to get rid of the NFL blackout rule.

Not every Bills fan can attend the home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium. And when the stadium isn't filled, the fans at home wind up losers with a blackout.

"You can't sell out every game, especially when you're not doing so great," argued Debora Leiser.

And ticket prices sometimes price-out regular fans. But pressure on the Federal Communications Commission to lift the federal blackout rules is mounting and the website EndBlackouts.com is filled with comments from Bills fans, comments that will be delivered to the FCC.

Matt Sabuda of the Sports Fan Coalition of Buffalo said, "Right now I know we're in the thousands and we're submitting those all at once on Monday to the FCC to hopefully bombard them with comments to lift this."

The FCC has posted fan letters on its own website and the vast majority are from Buffalo fans, including Kevin Hanna, who writes: "I'm handicapped and can't go to the Bills games. I can only watch them on TV. As a taxpayer I help pay for the stadium. I should be able to see the games. Please end the blackouts!"

"...at a time when public funds are cut for the sick, lame and poor," writes Herbert Mosher, "...taxpayers who have shelled out for years should at least be able to view their team on TV."

The fans are getting support from Congressman Brian Higgins, who says there is reason for hope.

"The FCC and one of its commissioners was very emphatic that it's time that the Federal Communications Commission take a good fresh look at this policy," assured Rep. Higgins.

Tracy Cardwell opined, "I think it would be great if Higgins can do something about it. It would just be great for the city overall."

The comment period for the FCC ends Monday. Bills fans who want an end to the blackouts are urged to go to the website EndBlackouts.com to make their feelings known. You can also make comments on the FCC's website.