When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the NFL waived its television blackout policy so Saints fans could watch even if games moved to Baton Rouge didn't sell out.

Now, under extraordinary circumstances of a different sort – a recession that has made football tickets an unaffordable luxury for many – the league isn't budging.

The NFL says it has no plans to lift its blackout rules because of the economy. So if games don't sell out – as could be the case in up to three cities this weekend – local fans won't be able to watch on TV, whether at home or in a bar.

"People are quick to say, 'Can you make an exception here?'" said Howard Katz, the league's senior vice president for broadcasting and media operations. "We're trying to be really cautious and make sure we do the right thing for long-term growth."

He acknowledged tickets are steep – an average of $74.99 this season – and times are hard. "To the person who lost his or her job in Detroit, this is every bit as difficult a situation to deal with as Katrina might have been in New Orleans," Katz said.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the NFL waived its television blackout policy so Saints fans could watch even if games moved to Baton Rouge didn't sell out.

Now, under extraordinary circumstances of a different sort – a recession that has made football tickets an unaffordable luxury for many – the league isn't budging.

The NFL says it has no plans to lift its blackout rules because of the economy. So if games don't sell out – as could be the case in up to three cities this weekend – local fans won't be able to watch on TV, whether at home or in a bar.

"People are quick to say, 'Can you make an exception here?'" said Howard Katz, the league's senior vice president for broadcasting and media operations. "We're trying to be really cautious and make sure we do the right thing for long-term growth."

He acknowledged tickets are steep – an average of $74.99 this season – and times are hard. "To the person who lost his or her job in Detroit, this is every bit as difficult a situation to deal with as Katrina might have been in New Orleans," Katz said.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the NFL waived its television blackout policy so Saints fans could watch even if games moved to Baton Rouge didn't sell out.

Now, under extraordinary circumstances of a different sort – a recession that has made football tickets an unaffordable luxury for many – the league isn't budging.

The NFL says it has no plans to lift its blackout rules because of the economy. So if games don't sell out – as could be the case in up to three cities this weekend – local fans won't be able to watch on TV, whether at home or in a bar.

"People are quick to say, 'Can you make an exception here?'" said Howard Katz, the league's senior vice president for broadcasting and media operations. "We're trying to be really cautious and make sure we do the right thing for long-term growth."

He acknowledged tickets are steep – an average of $74.99 this season – and times are hard. "To the person who lost his or her job in Detroit, this is every bit as difficult a situation to deal with as Katrina might have been in New Orleans," Katz said.

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