Chiefs Owner Hunt Warned of Blackouts for Bills, Browns Games

by Joel Thorman on Dec 9, 2009 9:30 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

As the Kansas City Chiefs organization faces the possibility of a blackout for the first time since December 16th, 1990, I am thinking of comments made by Clark Hunt back in October.

"The ones that have been a challenge for us in recent years have been the December games,’’ he said then.

The Kansas City Star spoke with Mr. Hunt before the Chargers game on October 25th, a sellout.

"Denver is traditionally one of our most popular games. Since (Buffalo and Cleveland) are not division rivals or nationally prominent teams, they would logically be the ones we struggle with."

And they are the ones we're struggling with.

Like COO Mark Donovan said in a release yesterday, the reasons behind this are the economy and the Chiefs record. Add to that we're playing a team an east coast team with a small midwest fanbase (Thanks, Steelers) as well as a team that has just one more win than the Chiefs.

Ultimately, I think the Chiefs will sellout this weekend's game. The actual attendance, like it has been all season, won't be pretty but I think Hunt's October comments were enough of a forewarning for all parties involved that this game would be tough.

The TV folks are well aware of how much Kansas Citians love watching their Chiefs, even if it is a miserable season. When 1/3rd of all TVs in Kansas City are tuned to the Chiefs, I think someone has to step up before Friday.

Now, the Browns game the following week? Well, that's a different story.

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Good thing I bought tickets for both games..

by tomahawk44 on Dec 9, 2009 9:43 AM CST reply actions

I'm thinking of buying some tix as well.

KCTV will no doubt buy up as much as they can invest. That’s a lot of advertiser money they lose.

My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:

1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.

by jbj8609 on Dec 9, 2009 10:26 AM CST reply actions

A player should buy the remaining tickets...

Be like Ochocinco.

November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.

by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 9, 2009 11:40 AM CST reply actions

THIS game won't be a blackout ...

but if the team does poorly, and depending on weather, etc … next one could be

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Dec 9, 2009 12:29 PM CST reply actions

I think the Cleveland attendance will be a direct reflection...

…of how the team does Sunday. If they beat the Bills, then the Browns game will likely be a technical sellout. If they lose or struggle with Buffalo, then a Blackout will be all but assured for the Cleveland game.

And all I can say about the actual butts in the seats is that its pretty sad to watch San Diego and Denver QB’s calling audibles at Arrowhead even on 3rd downs!

Funny thing…Despite the unbelievable number of Cowboy and Steeler fans in the place at those games, the house was DEFINITELY rocking for both of them. I don’t know if the team stirred the fans or the fans stirred the team.

by RrustyDawg on Dec 9, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

Sorry Clark Hunt - Your Product's been sucking for years

This is going to be a very long road back to the DT/Marty years. There is no way I am going to be suckered into committing 5-8 years of season tickets when my neighbors are unemployed and everyone I used to work with are either looking for a new job or got laid off.

Sorry Clark! Your new and improved Arrowhead will continue to empty out. Too bad if its going to be blacked out games. Some of us may as well not watch the game, at least we’d be in a happier mood at 4pm on Sundays.

Predictions as of 06.24.2009.

Larry Johnson will be a top 3 fantasy pick once again in 2010 (after a monster season in 2009.)
Dwayne Bowe will be a 2009 Pro Bowl selection.
Brandon Flowers will have at least 6 INTs in 2009 season.
Todd Haley will have a sideline shouting match caught on TV yelling at one of his asst. coaches.

by 58 was my friend on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM CST reply actions