This is the kind of scene the Bucs hope to avoid this season.TAMPA (FOX 13) -
Empty seats in Raymond James Stadium kept Buccaneer home games off the air for much of the last two seasons. The team was hammered by NFL blackouts.
Now, the Bucs are making moves to re-connect with the community and sell tickets. The latest move is a franchise first -- half-season ticket packages.
The team cut the season in half: four games plus one preseason game. Fans can pick a red or pewter package.
The move is designed to do one thing -- gets fans in the stands. It's the latest move by a franchise that knows the blackouts have cost them the connection they had with fans.
Fans have been the focus for this team since training camp started. Thousands of fans showed up for fan fest; now the Bucs want the same turnout for home games.
"Our community is really important to us. Coach Schiano talked about all the players signing autographs after every practice. Every player goes out there and meets people, signs autographs. Same with myself and same with Coach. Just to try and meet more people in this community and let them know we're a big part of it," explained general manager Mark Dominik.
New NFL rules will make it easier to avoid blackouts this season. The team has to sell out 85 percent of RayJay to avoid a blackout, but right now, that isn't a guarantee. That's why this team is making moves like this to sell tickets.
