Blackouts Plaguing Two Florida NFL Teams

With the NFL regular season opening Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of last years dramatic NFC championship battle, the sluggish economy seems to be impacting ticket sales. Eleven teams are facing possible blackouts for home games, and businesses will not be advertised.

Two of Floridas three NFL franchises are on the list. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are expected to have another lousy season, are the favorites to lead the NFL in blackouts -- starting with Sundays opener against the Cleveland Browns. The Jacksonville Jaguars -- almost universally picked to place last in the AFC South and have a history of struggling with selling tickets -- are also expected to face a large number of blackouts. The Jaguars open their season Sunday when the Denver Broncos come to town, but the game will not be blacked out -- thanks in part to University of Florida legend and First Coast favorite son Tim Tebow being the Broncos' first-round pick in the latest draft.

While the Bucs and Jags continue to struggle selling tickets, local and national businesses that rely on running commercials during the football games will also be greatly impacted -- more woe for the Sunshine State, already lagging behind the nation as the recession continues.