Airwaves: NFL should consider lifting blackout rule

The Raiders are one team that has had a tough time selling out — games are often blacked out on local TV. (Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO — Although 12 NFL teams have already announced they are sold out for the 2009 season, others are feeling the crunch of the economy big time. Teams such as the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars have already warned they are expecting blackouts.

The Jack Del Rio-led Jags have gone as far as to say that all eight home games might be blacked out. In 2008, there were only nine total NFL TV blackouts. The Raiders, Lions and Rams were the three teams that contributed to that number. Of course, those three teams also stunk, and besides the economy, fans just did not want to go and watch awful football.

This trend is also showing signs of infiltrating traditional franchises that have always sold out their home games, such as Kansas City and Minnesota.

I am still on the fence about this rule. Established in the ’70s, I understand where the NFL is at in enforcing this blackout rule. On the other hand, I feel for the fans who simply just can’t afford to pay for a ticket and get further punished by not being able to watch the game.

Maybe it is time for the filthy rich NFL to throw the fans a bone. How about because of the economy, they lift the blackout rule for one year? Can you imagine how good the NFL will look to the entire business world? Here it is, the most powerful sporting enterprise on Earth, reaching out to the fan base that has made the NFL what they are. Now this is food for thought. It certainly will not put the NFL into bankruptcy court. In the long run, it might make them more money and do something wonderful for many loyal fans around the nation.

- NBC has made another very smart move by removing Bob Costas from its Sunday night studio show. This year, the versatile one will host the studio show from the site of the game. NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said it best when he stated: “He got a police escort in Beijing like he was the president of the United States.” When you see Costas at an event, you know it’s something big. NBC kingpin Dick Ebersol says putting Costas on site makes a game a “bigger event.” Personally, I think this is a great move!

College year kicks off in grand style

It’s here! We are right smack in the middle of a huge college football weekend. After games on Thursday and Friday evening, followed by a huge menu of games Saturday, there will be two more games tonight and Monday night. Ole Miss travels to Memphis, and Colorado State visits interstate rival Colorado tonight, while Monday, Cincinnati goes to Rutgers and Miami takes on Florida State.

What a way to start the season. Seemingly every game is on TV somewhere, and between cable outlets and Direct TV packages, a fan can watch any game. It will be interesting to see how Cal and Stanford end up this year.

- Is the NFL Network taking a big chance in hiring the controversial Michael Irvin as a studio analyst for its Sunday morning pregame show? Irvin, who I personally like and have enjoyed being around, made some anti-NFL comments when working for ESPN. Although the NFL Network is owned and run by the NFL, the on-air talent has been candid but never critical of the league. Super executive producer Eric Weinberger needs to keep Michael on a short leash.

- I like the new Shaq O’Neal show “Shaq Vs.” on ABC. In this interesting concept, the big fella takes on different superstars from other sports in their sport. He has competed against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a passing competition, had a home run contest with Albert Pujols,  swam against Aquaman Michael Phelps and played beach volleyball with gold medalist Kerri Walsh.

When asked which sport has been the toughest, O’Neal said beach volleyball, because in the sand, you are always off balance. All in all, this is fun sports TV.

- The new “Jerk of the Year” in the NFL is disturbed Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. This guy is a great player, but a wack job on and off the field. The clip of him punting the football this week while keeping it away from an innocent ball boy made me sick and was an embarrassment to all the guys in the NFL who do things the right way on and off the field.

On target

Rich Rodriguez, the embattled Michigan football coach, is in deep trouble. First, he bolted West Virginia a year ago to take the job in the Big House. His departure quickly turned ugly with name-calling and lawsuits. Then, he went 3-9 in his first season. Now, his team is talking to newspapers saying he has violated NCAA rules by practicing too many hours during the week. Trust me, this hire was a bad fit from the beginning. If he makes it through the year, he will not be the Wolverines coach in 2010. No chance!

Who said it

Bill Belichick

“How do I feel about Tedy Bruschi? He’s the perfect player,” the perfect New England Patriots coach said at Bruschi’s retirement news conference this week. Belichick expressed deep emotion when speaking about this great warrior. Like the coach, I have always admired Tedy from his days as an Arizona Wildcat to the NFL. Unlike some of the jerks we now have to watch, this guy was also the perfect model for our youth.

John Madden

“This call, this time, this 50 years — it means so much to me,” the Hall of Fame coach said Tuesday during a conference call with CBS celebrating its 50th year of NFL football. CBS gave Madden his start in the broadcasting world and he has never forgotten that. I think his career ended up being OK. Ya think?

One to watch

I can’t believe I am writing this, but “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Friday should be interesting. She will interview ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews. This will be Andrews’ first public interview since that horrific videotaping scandal she suffered through earlier this summer. Should be fascinating. Of course, the timing is perfect for her and ESPN, as the college football season, which she is a big part of, just kicked off.

Sports by numbers

$1.65 billion Estimated worth of the Dallas Cowboys according to Forbes, highest in the NFL

$875 million Estimated worth of the 49ers, 27th highest in the NFL

$797 million Estimated worth of the Raiders, lowest in the NFL

Artie Gigantino spent 25 years as a coach at the major-college and NFL levels, was lead college football analyst for Fox Sports Net for seven years, was with CBS for one year and was an executive with the Raiders for three years. E-mail him at agigantino@sfexaminer.com.