Sometimes we at Denver Horse Force like to remind Broncos County that other teams in the AFC West almost always have it worse.
Enter the Oakland Raiders.
CEO Amy Trask announced this week a “tool” that will hopefully cut down on blackouts.
The ‘tool’ – her word, not mine – is a tarp.
The Raiders will reduce capacity at O.co Coliseum by about 10,000 for next season. The stadium currently holds 63,132 for football, but with thanks to the ol’ trusty tarp, the stadium will house about 52,300 in 2013.
InsideBayArea.com reports the area targeted for tarping is “Mount Davis,” the high-rise section of seats home to about 4,850 season-ticket holders. Those fans will be relocated.
The Raiders finished last in the league in attendance last season, averaging 54,217 per game. Reducing capacity at O.co Coliseum means the Raiders will have the smallest venue in the NFL. Chicago’s Soldier Field is second with 61,500.
Bucking the trend of most NFL teams, the Raiders are also lowering season ticket prices.
Welcome to Denver, where we pack the stadium. Even for practice. (personal photo)
The Raiders struggled with tickets sales in 2012, coming close to having multiple home games blacked out locally, though only one game was blacked out. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Raiders have blacked out 80 games – airing on 64 home games – since 1995.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos just wrapped up their 43rd consecutive year of home sellouts. Just sayin’.
Denver Broncos Headlines:
- Bleacher Report: Players the Denver Broncos Absolutely Must Re-Sign
- Denver Broncos: Hester Happy in Denver
- Colorado Sports Desk: Denver Broncos needs for destination Super Bowl XLVIII
- Denver Broncos: Harris Readies For Another Jump
- Rant Sports: Denver Broncos Should Focus on the Offense
- Yahoo! Sports: Denver Broncos Have Decisions to Make on 16 Free Agents: Who Will Stay and Who Will Go
Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.
