Despite reducing ticket prices, spending in free agency and adopting the league's new 85-percent rule for TV blackouts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still are not close to selling out their Sept. 9 season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports. Bucs spokesman Jonathan Grella said Friday the team still must sell about 9,000 non-premium seats in Raymond James Stdium before 1 p.m. next Friday to ensure a lifting of the local TV blackout. The Bucs are one of at least three NFL teams so far to adopt the new 85-percent rule, which allows the local TV blackout to be lifted if 85 percent of non-premium tickets are sold by 72 hours before kickoff. The Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins are the other teams to adopt the new standard. The Bucs have also reduced season ticket prices and introduced flexible payment plans to try and boost season ticket purchases and they spent more than $150 million on free agents during the offseason. Source: The Redzone
