http://kentsterling.com/2010/05/28/i...-event-itself/
The local blackouts make absolutely no sense to me. I've never agreed with the thought process.
Originally Posted by :
There is only one place remaining in the world that clings to the notion that not televising an event locally leads to greater attendance. Every one else in every organized sport has adopted the philosophy that the more people see an event on TV, the more they will want to pay to see it in person.
The NFL still blacks out home games if they're not sold out and all that leads to is more blackouts. Once the team starts winning and people get excited about the team, they fill the stadium to watch. If they build the excitement of the Indy 500, the demand for tickets will go up.
Originally Posted by :
There is an entire generation of kids in Indianapolis who have never seen the race, even on TV. Maybe back in the day, kids would wait for the 7p start time to watch the replay on channel six, but not anymore. They have better things to do than watch a three-and-a-half hour race that concluded at least two-hours prior.
Originally Posted by :
Kids should dream about being old enough to buy a ticket and go to the race. Right now, they don’t even know it’s being held because they wonder how big a deal it is if it isn’t even on TV.
IMS should lift the local blackout and begin building the next generation of local Indy 500 and IndyCar fans.
