Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got to watch their team on the tube on Sunday afternoon.TAMPA (FOX 13) -
A rare treat for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans Sunday, the team sold enough tickets to avoid the dreaded black-out - a plague that's engulfed the franchise for 16 of their last 19 regular season home games.
Sports bars and their patrons around the Bay area were certainly pleased with the development.
"It is always better to see it on TV," said Bucs fan Eduard VanValkenburg.
Some local enthusiasts who did not buy a ticket to see the game live at Raymond James Stadium packed the Press Box on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. It was nice to finally see their team on the big screen from RJS.
The Bucs even donned their throwback uniforms for Sunday's NFC Southern Division contest.
"Today it was a special day," said 13-year-old Scot Comparetto. "I came out I got my lucky hat on I hope they win."
This was the first Buccaneers home game to be aired in the local market in its entirety since last December's contest against the Cowboys. Ironically, it comes one week after the Buc's lowest attended game of the year – last week's 38-10 victory over Kansas City.
Sunday's Saints-Buccaneer matchup was the first time Fox 13 has aired a home game since the 2009 season.
For bar owner Walter Hill a lifted blackout means more business.
"The games shown in the community, more people watch the team, more people get behind a winning football team and people watch the Bucs game," Hill said.
