When we've been talking about this blackout business, I've assumed that the Kansas City Chiefs announced total of 3,500 tickets remaining would be gobbled up by KCTV5 at the last minute. The station has plenty of advertising dollars involved and many times the station broadcasting the game doesn't want to lose that so they buy the remaining tickets.
As it turns out, KCTV5 has already put in as much as they can, before the announcement of 3,500 tickets remaining. Translation: A blackout now seems likely for the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Star spoke with KCTV5 GM Robert Totsch.
"From my perspective, and KCTV, we certainly don’t want to lose a Chiefs game and the audience it brings," Totsch told the Star. "We’ve helped them as much as we can. As unfortunate as it is, there is only so much folks can do. The underlying problem is the economy. If the Chiefs had a better record, and the weather was better and the economy was better, you’d probably see the streak continue."
Wow.
Last week, the Chiefs announced a paid attendance of just over 68,000 people. The magic number, per Randy Covitz of the Star, 65,544.
The deadline for the Chiefs comes at noon today. Whether or not the NFL gives a 24 hour extension will tell us where the Chiefs stand with getting the tickets sold. If the NFL grants an extension, it's a likelihood the tickets will be sold.
If they don't? Well, the Chiefs 155 game sellout streak would end.